An Indiana mother says what began as a simple neighborhood playground conflict has now escalated into a situation she believes is discriminatory against her autistic son.
The incident shared by ShannonJacob Lynn Gracian Butler in an Autism Parents Support Group, sparked a strong reaction online as parents debated safety, supervision, and who was truly at fault.
According to Butler, the issue started when her 8.5 year old son, who is autistic and typically plays loudly and excited outside, went to the playground directly across the street from their home.
She explained that he had only recently been allowed to play there, not alone, but with a neighborhood friend.
Butler says there is a 5-year-old girl in the neighborhood who repeatedly bullies her son whenever they cross paths at the park.
On the day of the incident, the two boys were playing when the younger girl allegedly began taunting him.
Butler wasn’t sure who hit whom first, but she says her son ran home crying with the girl chasing after him, screaming. She shouted across the street for the girl to go home and stop following her son.
According to her son’s friend, the girl had hit her son first.
Butler attempted to speak with the girl’s grandparents, but she says thay refused to answer the door.
Days later, the situation escalated further. Butler claims the girl’s grandmother confronted her in the morning, pointing a finger in her son’s face and yelling at him.
When Butler stepped in, she says the grandmother shoved her hard enough to almost knock her down, an especially frightening moment, she explained, as she is differently abled and struggles with balance.
After the shove, Butler called the police. But instead of receiving support, she says she was shocked by the officer’s response. Butler wrote,
“He told me I should just keep my son in our yard and not let him go to the playground across the street,” “Personally I think this is discrimination.”
ShannonJacob Lynn Gracian Butler
The post drew dozens of emotional responses, many sympahetic, many critical, and nearly all strongly opinionated.
Some commenters agreed with Butler that the officer’s response felt unfair.
Krista Dunham Peeples wrote,
That is 100% discrimination but honestly with how the grandmother behaved it doesn’t surprise me about the little girl. Personally I would accompany him to the park especially if this is a reoccurring issue. Let him do his thing and play with his friend but be there to be present. You’re better than I with that grimy grandmother putting her hands on you and in your son’s face. I hope this gets resolved and your son gets to continue to enjoy the park with his friends.
Krista Dunham Peeples
One anonymous participant suggested the officer should have addressed the supervision of the younger child as well.
First off she laid hands on you, restraining order 100% & press charges. & shame on the cop, he should tell the little girls parents/guardians to watch their child, especially since she’s 5.
Anonymous Participant 931
Several people urged Butler to press charges against the grandmother for allegedly shoving her.
One commenter added: “If she shoved you, that’s assault. Did she take a ride?”
However, a large portion of commenters focused on supervision, arguing that regardless of the bullying, Butler should be physically present with her son at the playground.
Many parents explained that an 8.5 year old, especially neurodivergent child, shouldn’t be at a park without an adult.
One commenter named Mom2aHighNeedsTeen wrote,
Personally I think 8.5 is too young to go alone; especially when the child is also neurodivergent. Perhaps the officer meant your son should remain in the front yard if he is going to be without adult supervision.
Mom2aHighNeedsTeen
Jencie Marie wrote,
Parents need to be at playgrounds with their kids ! Things happen and adults should be around. My oldest is 8 & I’m still outside watching.
Jencie Marie
Others suggested that the 5-year-old girl also shouldn’t be at the park alone. Marlene Rae Odem wrote,
Call cps that she’s in the park with no adult see what they say
Marlene Rae Odem
One anonymous participant wrote,
Regardless, the officer should have at least had a conversation with the adult in charge of the other child. Sounds like the child bullying and starting the physical fight needs to be supervised as well.
Anonymous Participant 157
Some took a more aggressive stance, urging Butler to record future interactions and gather evidence. One parent commented,
Go with him to playground, so you can see what is going on. You might have to file report. Also a 5 year old shouldn’t be in the park by their self.
Donna Roberts
For now, Butler says she feels discouraged by the officer’s response and believes her son deserves the same across to the public playground as any other child.
She hopes the incident will spark a larger conversation about how law enforcement and communities respond to conflicts involving neurodivergent children.
