Autism Vox

There’s No Playing Around With Fire

by Kristina Chew, PhD on February 8th, 2007

When a backyard bonfire spilled over on his cousins’ lawn, 9-year-old Harry Wifong, who has autism, moved towards the flames. His cousins, Ben and Taylor Whiting, talked about their concerns with another student at their school; as a result of this, the Wexford Volunteer Fire Company has created the Special Circumstances Program. Today’s Tribune-Review (Pittsburgh, PA) notes that the program is a computerized registry that can be stored on two laptops in the company’s two rescue trucks and will “let emergency personnel know where people with disabilities live so rescuers can adjust their methods accordingly.”

I still blow out candles on restaurant tables if Charlie is around: Best to be safe, not sorry.

But kids with autism do grow up. Charlie is no toddler in a 9 1/2 year old boy’s body. He is a 9 1/2 year old boy in a 9 1/2 year old body and he is learning more and more every day.

Then I read about 18-year-old Peter Pascale, who has autism and ADHD, and who awoke his sleeping parents this Monday morning at 1am when the fire alarm went off, as reported in today’s The Herald (PA). The fire caused $35,000 worth in damage. Most importantly, no one was hurt and Pascale has been declared a local hero: “It’s good, it feels real good,’ Peter said of his new hero status in the community.”

So next time we are at a restaurant with a candle on the table I won’t blow it out.

(I will, though, move it to my side of the table.)

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POSTED IN: Education, Safety