Oh, I forgot about those looks I've gotten when scolding Anthony in public. He deserved it at the time for some typical 3 year old behaviour. No big deal. But, although no one said anything directly, you could just feel the attitude of some folks - "How can she scold that poor, handicapped child?"  It's so silly, really.  But no different than the looks when Bobby misbehaves in like fashion and before I can scold him, I get the look "Can't she control that child?" 
Of course, some of my sensitivity to all of this is my own feeling of inadequacy as a parent sometimes. :-) I find when I'm frazzled and the boys are being a handful I am more sensitive to the reactions of others. Attitude can really make a difference in changing the perceptions of others, one way or the other. A sense of humour helps, too.

Yvonne


>>> joanne <[log in to unmask]> 09/27/00 11:42AM >>>
 A normal toddler/preschooler will wander from mom ( he's already escaped from a public restroom while I needed to use the toilet. Those push buttons that make doors open can be a BAD thing at times!!!!!!). He got scolded for
escaping and people walking by just grinned...a normal kid after all. A
toddler/preschooler likes to be carried at times. With the WC I just walk
beside Alex holding hands as I more or less pull him along. We talk and
laugh and other parent kid things. My attitude tells others how to act
towards him although I'm not above giving my mother arch eyebrow to anyone who is slow picking up the message.
Joanne