Autism is voted off The Island

Blah blah yakkety-smack we are all up to our collective ears about autism and the increasing rates of the spectrum diagnosis. Some people still think it's a discipline issue (ie that you can punish the behavior ''away''), some think it just flatly does not exist and still others are neck deep in the fight to help their kids in every way possible, every day.

From the link above (from one of my all time favorite bloggers) comes the story of a kindergarten teacher who allowed her class to ''vote out'' a child with Autism and did it in a particularly foul and cruel way: By calling the little boy up to the front of the class and encouraging his classmates to unload on him the various reasons they would like him to be gone. I don't know many full-grown adults who could withstand being told they are, ''disgusting'' and ''annoying'' by a group of their peers much less how it must make an emotionally fragile five year old feel to be forced to take it on the chin and move on (because children with autism usually have a good grip on perserveration).

What's funny and by funny I mean to say puzzling is the ''teacher'' involved is also mentioned here in an article about fund raising for a competition that, ''is all about being part of a team, about encouraging others on to do their very best. It’s about endurance and creativity, about being able to think on your feet and it teaches students all those skills while also having lots of fun.'' I guess that only applies to some students, not all.

This whole story and the egregious behaviors behind it are unsettling, at best and elitist, at worst. Please contact Morningside Elementary at the address below to let them know what you think.

Morningside Elementary School

2300 SE Gowin Dr
Port St. Lucie, FL 34952

Phone: (772) 337-6730
Fax: (772) 337-5976

EDITED TO ADD THE LINK PROVIDED BY SQUID: CONTACT INFORMATION AND A KIND REQUEST TO BE RESPECTFUL IN ALL CORRESPONDENCE - IF WE'RE GONNA DO IT, LET'S DO IT RIGHT.

Comments

[catnip]

I have a niece and a nephew who both have Asperger's. This just makes me want to throw up.

[Sara]

My daughter has autism, and if a teacher did that, not only would I have her job, she would be afraid for her life...

[Jen]

I don't even know how I would react if someone ever did this to my son. to do this to any child would be cruel but to do it to one who already has difficulty with social skills and making friends? That's just unthinkable to me. This story just makes me ill.

[HeatherN3Boys]

That teacher has been voted out of the gene pool. ASSHAT!!!

[rawdawgbuffalo]

u know it is really the job of all of us, but still more is needed for enhanced performance

[squid]

Thanks for the citation. And kudos (*looks at floor*). And, most importantly, for spreading the word that this kind of behavior is FUCKING WRONG, and telling people what to do about it.

The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network has an extensive call to action that emphasizes a respectful (damn it) attitude in our communications of protest, so that we will be taken seriously:

http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=28

[HeatherN3Boys]

http://www.parentdish.com/2008/05/27/students-vote-autistic-5-year-old-out-of-class/?icid=1615984945x1203153850x1200308259

She was not charged with emotional child abuse. The teacher got away with it... I think I'd be on a manhunt if that were my child. If the parents decide to hunt her down, I'd help.