What Happened to Compassion?

On Aug. 12, a video was posted, originally by @shundasworld on TikTok, about a 16-year-old boy with Autism, named Bo, who was left at a park by his family in Texas after the showing of a movie. Bo explained that this was due to him and his sister having gotten into an argument over sharing a pillow.

No matter the reason, a family should never leave a child behind, especially in an area the child is unfamiliar with. The creator of this video later explored and described to the audience how far away her house (where the boy was found) was from the park, where he claimed to have been left. Bo was found about 14 minutes (driving) away from the park, which means the walk, crossing multiple main streets, could have been as long as an hour in the dark.

This alone is alarming enough, but this, coupled with Bo’s appearance, led viewers to question how he was treated at home. Many pointed out how his glasses appeared to be suited for a younger kid or even a toddler based on the size and shape, indicating possible neglect.

Although this is speculative, it shouldn’t go unnoticed when accounting for the circumstances. 

This is just one instance of the insensitivity projected onto the autistic population. But the woman he happened to stumble across was gracious and understanding, giving Bo a moment to explain and calling her husband over to help resolve the situation. They ended up calling his parents, and he returned home safely. 

Other instances, such as Natalie Rose Munno, who abandoned her 15-year-old Autistic daughter behind a dumpster in 2023, or Dennis Kelley’s grandson, who was left by his father at an emergency room in Colorado for weeks on end in 2024, prove Bo’s story is not just a one-time mess-up, and there is a larger issue at hand that must be addressed. 

Thankfully, though, the woman who found Bo had compassion and an open mind rather than extending criticism, potentially causing the interaction to escalate. 

Even though this should be common courtesy, this is not the case for many people with Autism. According to the Autism Society, “approximately 20 percent of youth with autism” have been questioned by the police, resulting in “nearly 5 percent” being arrested. 

This data serves as a whistle to call forth compassion and understanding for others’ circumstances, especially for those with disabilities and limited resources. 

Being aware of the extent to which this marginalized group, in particular, is discriminated against throughout all sectors of life is the start of combating such prejudice. Advocating for justice for this unfair treatment allows for an exponential increase in awareness and hopefully understanding. This is important for decreasing bullying and improving inclusion in all kinds of communities, such as our own school, the workforce, and even the neighborhood down the street.

Los Osos High School’s “Best Buddies” club focuses on promoting inclusion and building community within our school, and encourages genuine social interaction in room D-116 every Friday at lunch.

Youths with Autism endure many challenges that often go unnoticed due to a lack of awareness, advocacy, and empathy, but through respect, compassion, and community, we must aim to reduce the isolation that has been placed upon our society.