Abercrombie & Fitch fined for refusing to let teen help autistic sister

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

No. They came in as part of the discovery during the lawsuit.

So the two (teenage) girls only explained that the younger sister had autism? I'm sorry, but I wouldn't have taken their word for it, either.

Pardon my ignorance, but is it possible to tell whether or not someone has autism just by looking/actions? Does it vary based on where they fall on the spectrum?

Did either of the articles say whether or not the policy included parents with their younger children?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Pardon my ignorance, but is it possible to tell whether or not someone has autism just by looking/actions? Does it vary based on where they fall on the spectrum?

It depends a great deal, both on where the person falls on the spectrum and on the observer's experience. I don't think any random salesperson would be able to tell that my kid is on the spectrum, but we've met a few adults who, because they have kids on the spectrum themselves or had taught kids on the spectrum, picked up on it remarkably quickly -- within a minute or two.

Did either of the articles say whether or not the policy included parents with their younger children?

I don't think either one said, but since A&F doesn't (as best I remember) carry children's clothes, I'm not sure that would've been an issue when the policy was drafted.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

It depends a great deal, both on where the person falls on the spectrum and on the observer's experience. I don't think any random salesperson would be able to tell that my kid is on the spectrum, but we've met a few adults who, because they have kids on the spectrum themselves or had taught kids on the spectrum, picked up on it remarkably quickly -- within a minute or two.

Thank you.

I don't think either one said, but since A&F doesn't (as best I remember) carry children's clothes, I'm not sure that would've been an issue when the policy was drafted.

They also have the abercrombie/Abercrombie Kids brand. I'm wondering how they'll explain that policy in one of those stores (or if the rule is only in place for the general A+F stores).

ETA: To add on to that, if a parent decides to take his/her child into the dressing room at a regular A+F, I wonder if that raises eyebrows. That policy probably does need to be examined.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Improv Everywhere gets a laugh at A&F's expense:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdeBp8J0rqs

I love this!

[UGAalum94]

Is this really an ADA issue?

Someone tossed that out earlier in the thread, but it doesn't seem to me to apply.

The state is certainly able to have a higher standard, of course.

I agree with Vandalsquirrel that there were much better ways to handle this. I'm not as sure as some of you that the autistic teen should be legally entitled to have assistance in the dressing room, but it certainly seems to me that a decent company would permit it.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Is this really an ADA issue?

Someone tossed that out earlier in the thread, but it doesn't seem to me to apply.

The state is certainly able to have a higher standard, of course.

I agree with Vandalsquirrel that there were much better ways to handle this. I'm not as sure as some of you that the autistic teen should be legally entitled to have assistance in the dressing room, but it certainly seems to me that a decent company would permit it.

That's part of the reason that I asked about whether or not autism is noticeable on sight. Someone claiming to need assistance (and the subsequent "bending of the rules") could create a loss for the company.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

That's part of the reason that I asked about whether or not autism is noticeable on sight. Someone claiming to need assistance (and the subsequent "bending of the rules") could create a loss for the company.

From my limited run-ins with people who have autism, it isn't very noticeable (like a deformity would be). Most of the people i've encountered have been either a little socially awkward, or just plain anti-social and "rude" (although I doubt they truly mean to be rude), but it's not like they have AUTISTIC tattooed on their forehead. I know many more non-autistic people that act those ways and they have no excuse for it.


I do agree that allowing them into the dressing room together, against company policy, would open up the "flood gates" and would invoke complaints from other patrons about allowing them in. Although I will say, the one-person policy is kind of dumb. When I was at Aeropostale, I had to be the "dressing room attendant" many a times. And although it was suggested that you only allow 1 person in the stall, most of the time it isn't feasible. Parents want to take their children in, or 2 friends don't want to wait in line for separate stalls, so they share one. I never had a problem with allowing more than 1 person in, because I counted how many articles of clothing they brought in (that was company policy, and policy for other stores as well) so I could tell if they left with fewer clothes. That was my job, whether I was at the dressing room, or not. To watch for "shrink." I would assume A&F had a similar policy, and if not, they should.

I never got the "but she/he is autistic, let us go in together" and personally had someone said that to me, I would have let them both in. It's not my place to judge whether the person is or isn't, but I would give the benefit of the doubt.