The father of a Richmond autistic teenager, who was allegedly punched at a school basketball court, is expressing his thanks to the Richmond RCMP for helping his son during this difficult time.
Harris First, the teen’s father, said the RCMP “deserves all the credit in the world” for how they have handled their son’s case.
“(The RCMP) has managed to place my son in a good state of mind,” said First, adding that they encouraged his son to “keep looking forward … keep learning and playing basketball.”
First told the Richmond News two RCMP officers came out to visit and spent some time with his son a week after the incident.
“The two detectives involved in the case found time to play basketball with my son to help him get back to ‘normal’ as much as possible,” said First, adding that they reassured his son that it was their “job to catch the bad guys.”
“I will never, ever forget what they did for my son, I simply am indebted forever.”
First’s son had been playing basketball at Richmond Secondary around 7 p.m. on Aug. 21 when a male suspect, punched him, despite being told the teen had a developmental disability.
The victim had suffered a large cut to his lip and a concussion.
While an arrest has still to be made, First hopes someone with any information on the incident to step forward and call the RCMP or the anonymous line.
Meanwhile, Richmond-based AutismBC is asking people to show more understanding and respect to those with special needs following the incident in Richmond, as well as another in Surrey last week, also involving a youth on the autism spectrum.
In the Surrey incident, a teen on the autistic spectrum was allegedly punched by a middle-aged man at Central City when the teen allegedly hit the man in the chest after “flapping his hands around him” to tell others to socially distance from him.
According to AutismBC, one in 40 people between ages six and 18 has a diagnosis of autism in British Columbia.
While individuals on the autism spectrum can display behaviours that appear aggressive, in reality they are usually driven by anxiety or lack of comprehension, explained the group.
Anyone who interacts with a child on the spectrum under unexpected circumstances should reach out to the parent or caregiver in the area or give the child space, the society said in a statement.
“Aggressive behaviour of any kind, particularly of an adult to a child is unacceptable under any circumstances,” said AutismBC in a press release, adding that it is important for the public to understand how to respond to individuals on the autism spectrum in a “caring and empathetic way.”
“It is our sincere hope that the public will continue to educate themselves and learn to approach perceived misbehaviour with calmness and understanding.”
