DEAR EDITOR:
Before casting stones against the Warren school system, take the time to Google autism.
This disorder spans a spectrum of difficulties with social interaction. Schools today are facing more challenges than ever before to incorporate, acclimate, assimilate ... The responsibilities of the classroom teacher are far beyond your grandma's school marm 'readin', writin' and rithmetic'.
If there are bullies tormenting any child, they should be dealt with, and sometimes when the school's hands are tied, the most prudent and expeditious course of action is to involve the police. But the issues are far from that simple. Some autistic children can't be touched, won't make eye contact, scream at the slightest sounds, have repetitious rituals, and don't respond in a predictable manner to others.
This can be going on in a classroom of students that are trying to ignore these distractions and focus on lessons, or become frustrated when normal attempts to interact are not productive. When the bell rings, hallways are noisy and congested paths of terror for some autistic children. They react. Students react to them. Do you see where this is going?
The role and responsibilities of the school have changed from educating the masses to accommodating every child at any cost.
Before you prop my head on a stick, I see this as the role of education today.
However, if a parent can prove that his or her child is not being educated properly in his district, it is the law that the child must be educated in an alternative manner, at the cost of the district.
Not every teacher/staff is shirking responsibilities, not every child understands the complexities of autism, and not every autistic child is a warm fuzzy and without blame.
Understanding autism is key, but where does that fall in the long list of priorities/responsibilities? Before the bully issues, funding, technology, character education, state testing, sexting, cellphones, cheating, college preparation? When you have all of the answers, just let me know.
Barbara Gordon
Newton Falls