We Don't Like You. Go Away.

Whitterer on Autism has related a story with an *entire* series of links about a little boy who was VOTED OUT OF CLASS because he's probably autistic. http://whitterer-autism.blogspot.com/2008/05/alex-barton.html What a crummy thing to do to a little kid. But the article tells us it isn't abuse because no laws were broken. See? What did I tell you a few posts back? These schools think they're greater than God Himself.

I've only scratched the surface with all these links, but it surely does resonate to see another family going through similar experiences. Whether the autistic people in question are high-functioning or not, ideally we're *supposed* to have a free and appropriate education for every kid who walks (or wheels! can't forget some don't walk...) through the school doors. I'm not particularly enamoured of public education because I personally don't see that happening (among other reasons; don't get me started). I see a lot of words, but no real attempt to *make* it happen.

And for all our misguided talk on "tolerance" of other lifestyles etc. etc. in schools, I'll tell you that there really is no toleration. It doesn't matter if your difference is a weird hairdo or an inability to fit in properly. Children can be some of the most intolerant people in the classic sense of the world. I would like my children to be very tolerant in the classic sense of the word and to value others EVEN WHEN they disagree with them. And to disagree in a spirit of meekness without getting pushed around (yes, there's a time to fight!).

I'm reading more in other blogs about how autistic folks are really treated in school. Lots of places, but I'll just give one sample for today because it's late, I'm tired, and sometimes I think I'm really only talking to myself. But Amanda Baggs is one blogger I enjoy occasionally visiting because she has such a witty way of expressing herself. I don't always agree with everything she says, but I will say she makes me think. She shares a little about her schooling in this post:

http://ballastexistenz.autistics.org/?p=538

QUOTE:

And I remember as well that when I was bullied so mercilessly — at an age where I understood far better what was happening — that I was afraid to go to school and lashed out defensively at nearly anyone who tried to interact with me at all, I was the one who got counseling, and I was the one who was talked about by teachers as if there was something wrong with me. And I was the one who had to repeat a grade and change schools. The bullies were left to go on doing their thing, because it was only natural to be nasty and cruel, but wholly unnatural to be terrified of people who acted in this manner. I’m not saying I never did anything wrong, nor that I treated everyone with absolute kindness. Not even close, and I imagine at times I was a nightmare to deal with in my own right. But good grief.