Unwanted guests, lets hear your story....

jamesu wrote:
I am a retired Special Education teacher...worked with guys like the one who began this thread for many years. If he seems a bit "off" he is, and it's not his fault. I worked hard teaching "social cues", manners, etc., and we reinforced these day after day, because they were forgotten day after day...some stuck, some didn't. If this guy is mildly retarded and now an adult he may or may not be getting continued social skills training if he is fortunate enough to be working in a shelter workshop.

In a positive way you need to be direct with folks like this or you WILL be taken advantage of, because he's just trying to be friendly, and probably means you no harm. "This is our family time/our dinner time/etc., and you need to leave now." If he complies, great. If he does not, or if things escalate then or in the future, then you need to start working higher up the chain of command.

Too bad we need to sometimes deal with "stuff" like while out camping, but I'd much rather deal with this guy than a bunch of obnoxious campers drinking too much beer a campsite or two down the way.

Where is my "bowing before your awesome-ness" smiley? My youngest DS18 is severely mentally handicapped and autistic. He has be privileged to have many really great teachers in his life. They have helped us potty train DS, taught him to feed himself, helped him learn to clap to music, play simple games on a computer, and participate in story time. And they have been doing it over and over and over for 15 years. DS functions on the level of a 1yr old so obviously, we don't let him wander around by himself. He's a sweetheart, but he needs constant supervision and assistance with everything. If not for his wonderful teachers and assistants, I would have completely lost my mind. I don't know how you do it and my hat's off to you for making it your life work. God bless you in retirement--you've earned it!