BAYSIDE YMCA IN BARRINGTON BANS AUTISTIC BOY & HIS FAMILY INDEFINITELY: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOE MARTINO SAYS, “AUTISTIC BOYS BEHAVIOR IS UNPREDICTABLE.”

 

“Even A Murderer Or Child Molester Gets A Second Chance, Not A Child With Autism.”

On August 19, 2013, a child diagnosed with autism, had difficulty awaiting his turn for the computer and tantrumed, kicking the chair in which the patron was sitting and using the computer; no one was injured.  Bayside YMCA staff, Meagan Mikissick and Heather Ivil called the Barrington Police Department to report that an autistic child had a temper tantrum.  Later that week, the boy’s family received an email from executive director Joe Martino, suspending the entire family’s use of the Bayside YMCA facilities indefinitely.  Mr. Martin stated, “Our Y strives to meet many individual and family needs in our community.  We are proud of the fact that our doors are open to all…My responsibility as Executive Director is to ensure that all who come to this Y feel safe and comfortable.”  Mr. Martino stated that staff and members expressed their safety concerns to him due to the child being autistic.

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