Re: Teens with Autism Missing

[Guest guest]

Heart-breaking: Poor baby...

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2009/05/29/9607071-sun.html

News Toronto & GTA

Body pulled from lake

Missing boy, 16, left T.O. club after altercation

By CHRIS DOUCETTE, SUN MEDIA

Last Updated: 29th May 2009, 2:00am

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Simpy Squidoo Spurl Blogmarks Netvouz Scuttle Sitejot + What are these?

Missing borough-area teen Mason MacPhail was found dead in the Toronto

harbour yesterday, not far from the club the mildly autistic boy was booted out

of by bouncers two days earlier while attending an all-ages concert with

friends.

But exactly how the 16-year-old, who was in Toronto for the first time, ended up

at the bottom of Lake Ontario remains a mystery.

" We just know that there was an altercation in the club shortly after 8 p.m.

that resulted in Mason being escorted from the (premises), " Det.-Sgt. Howie Page

said yesterday out front of Sound Academy on Polson St.

The 51 Division officer had been preparing to update the media on the teen's

disappearance at 11 a.m. when he learned a marine unit diver had found a body

submerged in the far eastern end of a shipping channel just north of Polson

Pier, not far from Lakeshore Blvd. E. and Cherry St.

The body was later identified by a family member.

Page had the difficult task of delivering the news to MacPhail's mom, Lori

, just moments before he addressed the media.

" Lori is upset, " he said. " She is distraught. "

The veteran officer was also obviously shaken by the tragic outcome.

" It's awful, " said Page. " I have two sons myself. It's awful. "

Friends and relatives, who had travelled to the city to help with the search,

comforted each other out front of the nightclub.

MacPhail drove to the city from Cavan, just south of borough, with three

friends to see the band Disturbed play on Tuesday night.

He and his pals had a plan to meet outside at 11:30 p.m. should they become

separated, which happened soon after the show began. But when the crowd of up to

2,000 people let out, MacPhail was nowhere to be found.

It's believed the teen, who has Asperger's syndrome, may have been involved in

an incident with a concert-goer. There is some speculation on Facebook the

altercation occurred in the mosh pit, an area in front of the stage that can be

quite rough.

Surveillance video shows the youth being removed from the club just after 8 p.m.

MacPhail, who rarely ventured from his small town, would not have been able to

find his way home.

Police said it was too soon to know what happened, but there was nothing to

suggest anything untoward occurred.

However, one of MacPhail's brothers said he believes his youngest sibling was

the victim of foul play.

York U student Shane Fair, 19, who vanished after a year-end formal at Ontario

Place two weeks ago, is still missing.

>

> If you have any information about Mason McPhail, call police at (416) 808-5100

> By CityNews.ca | Toronto's News | Wed 12:45pm

>

> What could have happened to 16-year-old Mason McPhail? His family is desperate

for an answer to that question after the teen disappeared in mysterious

circumstances on Tuesday night. The young man with ASD Spectrum, Aspergers

Syndrome, a high-functioning form of the condition.

>

>

http://www.thews.com/2009/05/27/concerns-grow-after-two-autistic-boys-di\

sappear-in-toronto/

>

[Guest guest]

hello friends,my heart goes out to the family for their heartache & pain,my son is16yrs.old & HF aspergers sydromealso.Angels be with them for comfort.Ipray he did not suffer.angel blessings vanessaFrom: tdhssp <johnvel@...>Subject: ( ) Re: Teens with Autism Missing Date: Friday, May 29, 2009, 12:44 PM

Heart-breaking: Poor baby...

http://www.torontos un.com/news/ torontoandgta/ 2009/05/29/ 9607071-sun. html

News Toronto & GTA

Body pulled from lake

Missing boy, 16, left T.O. club after altercation

By CHRIS DOUCETTE, SUN MEDIA

Last Updated: 29th May 2009, 2:00am

Email Story Print Size A A A Report Typo Share with:

Facebook Digg Del.icio.us Google Stumble Upon Newsvine Reddit Technorati Feed Me Simpy Squidoo Spurl Blogmarks Netvouz Scuttle Sitejot + What are these? Missing borough- area teen Mason MacPhail was found dead in the Toronto harbour yesterday, not far from the club the mildly autistic boy was booted out of by bouncers two days earlier while attending an all-ages concert with friends.

But exactly how the 16-year-old, who was in Toronto for the first time, ended up at the bottom of Lake Ontario remains a mystery.

"We just know that there was an altercation in the club shortly after 8 p.m. that resulted in Mason being escorted from the (premises)," Det.-Sgt. Howie Page said yesterday out front of Sound Academy on Polson St.

The 51 Division officer had been preparing to update the media on the teen's disappearance at 11 a.m. when he learned a marine unit diver had found a body submerged in the far eastern end of a shipping channel just north of Polson Pier, not far from Lakeshore Blvd. E. and Cherry St.

The body was later identified by a family member.

Page had the difficult task of delivering the news to MacPhail's mom, Lori , just moments before he addressed the media.

"Lori is upset," he said. "She is distraught."

The veteran officer was also obviously shaken by the tragic outcome.

"It's awful," said Page. "I have two sons myself. It's awful."

Friends and relatives, who had travelled to the city to help with the search, comforted each other out front of the nightclub.

MacPhail drove to the city from Cavan, just south of borough, with three friends to see the band Disturbed play on Tuesday night.

He and his pals had a plan to meet outside at 11:30 p.m. should they become separated, which happened soon after the show began. But when the crowd of up to 2,000 people let out, MacPhail was nowhere to be found.

It's believed the teen, who has Asperger's syndrome, may have been involved in an incident with a concert-goer. There is some speculation on Facebook the altercation occurred in the mosh pit, an area in front of the stage that can be quite rough.

Surveillance video shows the youth being removed from the club just after 8 p.m.

MacPhail, who rarely ventured from his small town, would not have been able to find his way home.

Police said it was too soon to know what happened, but there was nothing to suggest anything untoward occurred.

However, one of MacPhail's brothers said he believes his youngest sibling was the victim of foul play.

York U student Shane Fair, 19, who vanished after a year-end formal at Ontario Place two weeks ago, is still missing.

>

> If you have any information about Mason McPhail, call police at (416) 808-5100

> By CityNews.ca | Toronto's News | Wed 12:45pm

>

> What could have happened to 16-year-old Mason McPhail? His family is desperate for an answer to that question after the teen disappeared in mysterious circumstances on Tuesday night. The young man with ASD Spectrum, Aspergers Syndrome, a high-functioning form of the condition.

>

> http://www.theautis mnews.com/ 2009/05/27/ concerns- grow-after- two-autistic- boys-disappear- in-toronto/

>

[Guest guest]

Poor boy: As the story evolves, the youth went to a concert and became

separated. Apparently, the young man (age 16) was ejected from the club and

would have been disoriented in an unfamiliar setting... from here, there is

nothing known on how he may have come to be found lifeless in the lake.

Certainly, a very sad and tragic story! One where " invisible " disability is

high-lighted. While the club/concert bouncers would not have known that the

young man had Aspergers Syndrome, I highly suspect that it contributed to

whatever outburst got him removed. More likely than not, the boy was frightened

and upset and further disturbed when handled and told he must leave... poor,

poor kid!!

There is a lot wrong here and many questions are raised on how things might have

been different.

>

> >

>

> > If you have any information about Mason McPhail, call police at (416)

808-5100

>

> > By CityNews.ca | Toronto's News | Wed 12:45pm

>

> >

>

> > What could have happened to 16-year-old Mason McPhail? His family is

desperate for an answer to that question after the teen disappeared in

mysterious circumstances on Tuesday night. The young man with ASD Spectrum,

Aspergers Syndrome, a high-functioning form of the condition.

>

> >

>

> > http://www.theautis mnews.com/ 2009/05/27/ concerns- grow-after-

two-autistic- boys-disappear- in-toronto/

>

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I did not read the article you sent, but I would not have let an AS 16 yo go to a concert and club without an older person/adult there to monitor. Wouldn't you think?

Roxanna

Autism Happens

( ) Re: Teens with Autism Missing

Poor boy: As the story evolves, the youth went to a concert and became separated. Apparently, the young man (age 16) was ejected from the club and would have been disoriented in an unfamiliar setting... from here, there is nothing known on how he may have come to be found lifeless in the lake.

Certainly, a very sad and tragic story! One where "invisible" disability is high-lighted. While the club/concert bouncers would not have known that the young man had Aspergers Syndrome, I highly suspect that it contributed to whatever outburst got him removed. More likely than not, the boy was frightened and upset and further disturbed when handled and told he must leave... poor, poor kid!!

There is a lot wrong here and many questions are raised on how things might have been different.

>

> >

>

> > If you have any information about Mason McPhail, call police at (416) 808-5100

>

> > By CityNews.ca | Toronto's News | Wed 12:45pm

>

> >

>

> > What could have happened to 16-year-old Mason McPhail? His family is desperate for an answer to that question after the teen disappeared in mysterious circumstances on Tuesday night. The young man with ASD Spectrum, Aspergers Syndrome, a high-functioning form of the condition.

>

> >

>

> > http://www.theautis mnews.com/ 2009/05/27/ concerns- grow-after- two-autistic- boys-disappear- in-toronto/

>

> >

>

Wanna slim down for summer? Go to America Takes it Off to learn how.

[Guest guest]

Mine is 19 and I wouldn’t let him go without an adult. That would just be asking for trouble in my opinion.

On 5/31/09 10:11 AM, " Roxanna " <MadIdeas@...> wrote:

I did not read the article you sent, but I would not have let an AS 16 yo go to a concert and club without an older person/adult there to monitor. Wouldn't you think?

Roxanna

Autism Happens

( ) Re: Teens with Autism Missing

Poor boy: As the story evolves, the youth went to a concert and became separated. Apparently, the young man (age 16) was ejected from the club and would have been disoriented in an unfamiliar setting... from here, there is nothing known on how he may have come to be found lifeless in the lake.

Certainly, a very sad and tragic story! One where " invisible " disability is high-lighted. While the club/concert bouncers would not have known that the young man had Aspergers Syndrome, I highly suspect that it contributed to whatever outburst got him removed. More likely than not, the boy was frightened and upset and further disturbed when handled and told he must leave... poor, poor kid!!

There is a lot wrong here and many questions are raised on how things might have been different.

>

> >

>

> > If you have any information about Mason McPhail, call police at (416) 808-5100

>

> > By CityNews.ca | Toronto's News | Wed 12:45pm

>

> >

>

> > What could have happened to 16-year-old Mason McPhail? His family is desperate for an answer to that question after the teen disappeared in mysterious circumstances on Tuesday night. The young man with ASD Spectrum, Aspergers Syndrome, a high-functioning form of the condition.

>

> >

>

> > http://www.theautis mnews.com/ 2009/05/27/ concerns- grow-after- two-autistic- boys-disappear- in-toronto/

>

> >

>

Wanna slim down for summer? Go to America Takes it Off <http://www.aolhealth.com/diet/weight-loss-program/?ncid=emlcntusheal00000001> to learn how.

[Guest guest]

I did read the article and I agree with you Roxanna. I'm sure this boys parents are sick about it too, which makes me sympathize with them, but I would never let my son go somewhere like a concert w/out an adult present in some capacity.

"Over-optimism is waiting for you ship to come in when you haven't sent one out."

From: Roxanna <MadIdeas@...> Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2009 10:11:35 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Teens with Autism Missing

I did not read the article you sent, but I would not have let an AS 16 yo go to a concert and club without an older person/adult there to monitor. Wouldn't you think?

RoxannaAutism Happens

( ) Re: Teens with Autism Missing

Poor boy: As the story evolves, the youth went to a concert and became separated. Apparently, the young man (age 16) was ejected from the club and would have been disoriented in an unfamiliar setting... from here, there is nothing known on how he may have come to be found lifeless in the lake.Certainly, a very sad and tragic story! One where "invisible" disability is high-lighted. While the club/concert bouncers would not have known that the young man had Aspergers Syndrome, I highly suspect that it contributed to whatever outburst got him removed. More likely than not, the boy was frightened and upset and further disturbed when handled and told he must leave... poor, poor kid!!There is a lot wrong here and many questions are raised on how things might have been different.> > >> > > If you have any information about Mason McPhail, call police at (416) 808-5100> > > By CityNews.ca | Toronto's News | Wed 12:45pm> > > > > > What could have happened to 16-year-old Mason McPhail? His family is desperate for an answer to that question after the teen disappeared in mysterious circumstances on Tuesday night. The young man with ASD Spectrum, Aspergers Syndrome, a high-functioning form of the condition.> > > > > > http://www.theautis mnews.com/ 2009/05/27/ concerns- grow-after- two-autistic- boys-disappear- in-toronto/> > >>

Wanna slim down for summer? Go to America Takes it Off to learn how.

[Guest guest]

I concur: Those were similar thoughts that went through my mind, but I refrained

from stating my opinion out of respect for the family... Again, walking a mile

in another's shoes. I know that my NT son was that age when he went to a concert

for the first time and I was absolutely panicked... grilling him on the who is

driving, picking up, etc. For a youth with AS, gosh, the concerns and red flags

are heightened moreso. I try to speculate what might have transpired, but of

course, who really knows: A young man who is high-functioning and with a group

of buddies adament on attending a favourite concert might have impacted the

parents' judgment... you know the whole issue we each struggle with - 'letting

go' - allowing more freedom... And, perhaps, this was the one time that resulted

in catastophie! I have no idea... But, to lose one's child. Those poor folks.

What I do hope the article and the loss of the boy's life may at least achieve

is to generate better public awareness of how invisible disabilities impact

lives... That often the children who just seem to be misbehaving are actually

not 'brats', but may be in distress for a number of reasons: Over-stimulation to

sound, touch, etcetera. That instead of judging, we look to ways to help. (That

is why I am playing 'devil's advocate' with the judgement of the parents' of the

boy). How could things have differed?

- A parent shadowing the event as a chaperone

- Cell phone... I wondered myself why no mention was made of the boy calling

home to indicate he was lost

- An identifying bracelet that we teach the children to show to others when

under duress: " I have Autism, help me " .

I don't know what might have helped to avert that tragedy that unfolded, but I

do know that this scenario scares the heck out of me. What if my son when a

grown man is duped by an unsrupulous person, for example? My son is extremely

kind-hearted and if someone asked his help, I could see him walking along beside

someone to offer assistance. How do we prevent our kids from becoming victims -

not just in early years where we can directly over-see their daily activities -

but, as young adults?

- VM

> >

> > >

> >

> > > If you have any information about Mason McPhail, call police at (416)

808-5100

> >

> > > By CityNews.ca | Toronto's News | Wed 12:45pm

> >

> > >

> >

> > > What could have happened to 16-year-old Mason McPhail? His family is

desperate for an answer to that question after the teen disappeared in

mysterious circumstances on Tuesday night. The young man with ASD Spectrum,

Aspergers Syndrome, a high-functioning form of the condition.

> >

> > >

> >

> > > http://www.theautis mnews.com/ 2009/05/27/ concerns- grow-after-

two-autistic- boys-disappear- in-toronto/

> >

> > >

> >

>

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> ________________________________

> Wanna slim down for summer? Go to America Takes it Off to learn how.

>