Would you mind your son appearing on TV????

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This is an odd one, but I have been asked to be part of a TV production with my family. Mainly because it would be focusing on my son 5yrs who has AS.

It is part of an 'awards' production. The company in particular are finalists for the award. They have a wonderful place full of imaginary play for children. Its like a 'mini' world, of play. A pretend cafe, pretend shop / post office/ hospital etc etc.

We go there as a family for fun days out. But my dilema is, would you 'expose' your son on TV like this? I guess we try so hard to teach our children to 'fit in', I thought having him on TV BECAUSE he has AS wouldnt be fair to him. Most people have no idea at all, and not too sure if its a good idea to change that.

On the other hand, I am so proud of my son, I would be thrilled to see him be part of something like this. There would be no fincial gain, or any gain really that I can think of (besides raising awarness for AS, and maybe helping the company in question to win the award) .........what would you do ???

Thanks guys xx

That is a really difficult one. Both my kids have been approached by people claiming to be casting agents, and I always told them it was their decision, but your situation is different, isn't it? I have been so fiercely protective of my son when it comes to the public eye - you will not see my mentioning his name here, and I try to keep my privacy when I post to protect the kids. I feel that public exposure should be their choice, made with a realistic understanding of what is involved, but how do you present the situation you have to a 5 year old?

Just how much exposure would there be? I didn't hestitate to allow my son to be the subject of two graduate thesis papers, and I don't think twice about the filming of a student intern teaching my child's class, but I would never go on a show like Wife Swap or Super Nanny.

I guess the question comes down to what could be gained from it. Do you feel your family would be treated accurately and respectfully, and do you feel that allowing the filming would increase how people understand the spectrum? There is always a cost to being in the public eye, assuming this would put your child there, that we know. But there can also be benefit. Forgetting the fun of being on TV or showing off a great child, neither of which are alone worth the cost IMHO, you have to figure out if there is a real and worthwhile potential benefit. If not, say no.

I think its a neat opportunity to educate others. But, as the previous poster said, I would really make sure the scope of the program is to educate and appreciate the differences. I really applaud people who can step out into the "lime light" to educate those of us who aren't even aware of some of these differences.

Michelle

When I was a child, we were visiting Santa when a photographer came and asked Mom if he could take my picture with Santa. He had asked several people before us and been refused. My mother asked what could be wrong with doing that - the photographer said "Nothing" - Mom should have asked the other moms. The next day, there was my picture on the front page of the newspaper, along with my name and the street I lived on.

We didn't know we had a child pornographer in the neighbourhood. It's been 50 years and I'm still trying to recover from what he did.

Keep your children out of the public eye.

I would say that if you are planning to eventually tell your son about the AS, then it would be okay. If you are wanting to keep it more discreet, then I wouldn't do it.

Claradoon, I am so sorry to hear about your experience.

Safety for the child is definitely something to keep in mind with any public exposure.

Thank you all for your thoughts. Have had a chat with my husband and we just dont feel 'right' about it, so we have refused the opportunity. I guess initally I thought by refusing it, that it would mean that I am some what in denial about my sons diagnosis, or that I am not proud of who he is.

But I think you are all right your replies, there really is no need to do this production. I can be proud of him without doing something like this, and I do show him that every day.

Claradoon - I too am sorry to hear about your experience, if it helps in any way at all, it has contributed to my decision to protect my child, thank you for that.

Thanks to you all again xx

Trust your insincts. If you don't feel right about it don't do it. If your child wants to be a model or actor, go to an agency.