As I sit here, I realize I am sticking my neck out sharing our story.  Again, some of it is my opinion, some is taken from documentation and some is actual emails sent between myself and people that represent the school district my son attended.  I picked up the local paper yesterday and read the police blotter; a caller reported her son was assaulted on the bus.  You have heard how Colton had been physically hurt at least 3 times while in the care of the school district.  I felt that he was the only one, but now know differently.  I wish they would speak out like I am to make changes, but most people won't.

I was very angry when I left the meeting on March 5th.  Colton would be the one being isolated from his peers when he arrived at school, only be allowed to have one friend be with him during lunch recess and yet the students that hurt him were able to live life normally.  We agreed with the plan because we had no other choices.  We knew that getting a para would not happen, and to let him be with 400+ students in the morning waiting for the first bell would not be a good idea.  Here is a copy of the "plan" emailed to me by the middle school principal.  Sorry for all the black lines and squares, but I must protect the "innocent."

Note right away the statement about a "kid" slamming Colton's locker door shut?  Colton had a problem with another student slamming his locker door shut and it didn't matter if he barely had it open, or if he had his body in the way.  This student also made it a point to say hurtful things to him too.  Shortly after this was reported it stopped.

Number 4 made me laugh.  Open communication?  I documented how many times I tried to contact the school and never received a phone call back.  I was told that "they are not in their office, but will call you back."  I find it strange that the person saying we should communicate is one that did not return my call?  If I called to talk to the principal, guidance counselor, or nurse I usually questioned if they would actually call back. 

I also like the comment that he needs to hear the support of their school at home so he is more likely to trust someone?  I wish they could have heard how many times and the countless hours we spoke to Colton about telling an adult when he had problems.  I took that comment as us just sitting around and bashing the school district for days on end.  We never once attempted to try to help correct the situation Colton was facing and make him feel safe there!  Colton did not feel safe there because he had the right to feel unsafe.  He was being hurt and felt no one was doing anything to correct it.

I sat down with Colton and asked him to please tell me everything that has happened to him at school.  He became very quiet and then he started talking.  I was almost in tears when he was done.  This is a list and does not include the things already mentioned.

1. The student that was reported for slamming his locker shut (his head was slammed in it once) also tell him to shut up when he was talking to his friends.  She told him to "get out of here," pushed his books of his desk, and threatened to push them off.  She also called him fat.

2. In one class another student would accuse him of doing things he didn't do in an attempt to get him into trouble.  In this same class another student called him "dumb," "stupid," and "retard."  When I emailed the teacher, he was not aware of this going on.  Another teacher said he couldn't see these students doing something like that.  (make note of this because I will share information later that will show a pattern)

3.  Yet another student tries kicking him in the hall at least one time every week.

4.  On the bus, a different student harasses him and pulls his hair.

When I asked Colton why he doesn't report these things he told me could not find the words.  His autism doctor couldn't understand why he didn't report these things except that maybe in the past he did try getting help and didn't get any so he gave up.  Colton put up with being called names, being harassed and hurt most of the school year and never said a word. 

In my next post, I will share the words of the school therapist and how it was a problem with "perception."