5 year old boy voted out of the classroom

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/autistic-boy-voted-out-of-kindergarten/1030...

The basics: Alex, a 5 year old boy "who is in the process of being diagnosed with autism," specifically Asperger's syndrome, was voted out of his kindergarten classroom by the other students. How did that happen? The teacher thought it would be a good idea to let the other kids tell Alex what they thought of him. "Disgusting" and " annoying" was the verdict. The vote was 14-2 in favor of kicking him out of the class, so he left and spent the rest of the day in the nurse's office.

Now, it's one thing for a teacher to handle a "problem" child badly. Apparently Alex had some behavioral issues, and it sounds like they might have been tough to deal with. But allowing students to verbally berate another student, and then suggesting they vote on whether or not the kid should remain in the classroom? That's about as screwed up as it gets. Regardless of whether or not the child has autism, bad acne or chronic halitosis, teachers can't get involved in something so petty and cruel.

This happened in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (What is it about Florida and voting scandals?) Alex's mom, Melissa Barton, is considering legal action, although "the state attorney's office concluded the matter did not meet the criteria for emotional child abuse, so no criminal charges will be filed." So, like, what would meet the criteria? Throwing baloney at him while they vote him off the island, "Survivor"-style? Oy vey.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• autism
• aspergers
• syndrome

[jamesandaria]

UpDownMostly: This is a terrible situation and the comments below are the most ignorant I've ever seen. Perhaps you should disable comments just so you can get your message out to create awareness, while blocking out ignorant, baseless, and selfish opinions.

[UpDownMostly]

In some cases freedom of speech is both a curse and a blessing. I let people comment as they will. It tends to allow you to see how we are in the situations we are in the world by seeing the mindset of some and the biases of others. It's a mess sometimes.

[KingsFanSince95]

ok its one thing to send the kid up to the office because of him being a distraction to the other students bit to let the other kids verbally abuse or bully the kid verbally is just straighy bull shit. i woyld have been fucking been seeing red i woyld be so pissed if i were his parents and i would have fucked that teacher the hell up!

[bekz15]

I have aspergers and if my teacher did that i'd come back to her/him as a teen or adult and kick her/his ass! That is just LOW!

[Molochsbollox]

The staff here are guilty of abuse here. They are giving a Green Light to Bullying and Discrimination. Victim Blaming, Poor Bashing etc. are true Psychopathic Values. Ayn Rand fans will be jerking off. Where is this place? Close it. Humanity is Rotten to the core if they tolerate this BS.

[lisacmeier]

@lisacmeier WOW if this just AMAZING ! I commented on this post 7 months ago. @ months ago my son, with Aspergers was "let go" at his current by the very same teacher that i had mentioned above! She said he didn't qualify for her help because he had the "wrong type " of Aspergers. He was originally put in that school for spec ed. He was more recently accepted into a satelite school for talented and gifted inside that school! His test scores qualified him for the program and they haven't changed

[ferfer7777777]

Oh my goodness! This is the most unfair thing I have ever heard! Why are people so heartless? The kiddo couldn't help his behavior...it's like making someone leave a class because they are a different race! He didn't CHOOSE to have Autism. He didn't CHOOSE to be different. But he is...his teacher shouldn't have let other children berate him and vote him out of the classroom...this video really irritated me..I would hope that a TEACHER would be more educated to see the problems of this little kid

[Ashtonsmomma1978]

@supersonic320 Learn how to spell.

[MrDoctorProfessorWho]

I have to respond to the comments stating that it was this child's fault. I am surprised that an adult could make such a comment. I am a teacher and as a teacher it is my RESPONSIBILITY to maintain control of my classroom. I set the standard for behavior. I make my expectations clear. There is no excuse for what that teacher did, if she was having trouble she should have called someone from the office, ie, principal, vice principal, counselor, etc, to help her.

[drewboobies]

you suck dick

[steelmagnolia1085]

@supersonic320 Also AS children are very smart they have either normal to above average IQ's. Albert Einstein,Steven Speilberg,Bill Gates,Teddy Roosevelt,Thomas Jefferson,Benjamin Franklin, and many other notable people had AS.Maybe you need special ED b/c you seem like you have a very low EQ score.Do you know what that is?DOLT!The teacher wasn't doing their job.She was a mindless pig, who obviously shouldnt teach b/c she has much to learn as do you!People with AS are awesome ASPIES ROCK!!!!

[steelmagnolia1085]

@supersonic320 First off a CHILD with AS...is not selfish or arrogant.They have many needs and are good children who interact diff in many ways,esp social situations.Sometimes a child with AS, has a hard time with noise,light,smells,diff textures etc.They also dont understand sometimes when they have been talking "too long", or are talking about thier fav subject when someone else might like a turn.AS children DO WANT FRIENDS but many are teased because they are diff.