Child with Autism Arrested

[Guest guest]

Well, today at 3:15pm I got the call I had been dreading since the last

IEP. See, at the last IEP the principal basically threatened to have my

son arrested. A note was even placed in his cumulative folder after I

complained of restraint stating that there was zero tolerance toward

him and suspension, police, etc were to be used. For the last few weeks

I have refused to be any distance away from the school and have been at

home with my cellphone at all times, even in the bathroom, knowing the

call would come. Today it did.

I got the call to come pick my son up at school as he was out of

control. I grabbed his service dog and got in the car and we raced

over. When I got there, the police were waiting. My 10 year old child

with autism was handcuffed in the back of the patrol car. I could not

go see him and could not talk to the school staff. They did hand me a

letter stating he was suspended for 4 days. The police told me they

were taking him to the assessment center and they would call me in a few

hours.

This evening I was able to pick him up after a few hours in the

juvenile assessment center. Thankfully the officers were made aware of

his disability and they placed him in a cell alone. He was fascinated

when they took his fingerprints and smiled for his booking photo (you

know cause you smile for all photos like mom says) and really does not

understand what went on. The detention staff said he was a great kid

and would recommend that charges be dropped. At this time he is charged

with two 3rd degree felony counts of battery on a school official.

He is now home, tired and hungry. He is off getting ready for bed

as I type. Tonight he begged me to never send him back to the school

that does not understand him were there is no where safe for him to be.

-- AutismOnTheGo.com