March 2, 2012 at approximately 8:00 A.M.
James and I took Colton to school and met with the principal and guidance counselor. They asked Colton what had happened with the other student and Colton told them that the student followed him into the math classroom. Once Colton sat down the student grabbed his hair and told him to shut up. I asked Colton to leave the room.
Both were quick to reassure us this situation would be dealt with and they would take care of it quickly. Then the principal recommended restricting Colton's movements during recess. He could go to the media center with a friend. Either the principal or guidance counselor would walk him from the lunch room to the media center to ensure he was safe. I then heard the excuse that there are *400+ students and only 31 adults--with that ratio it is hard to watch all of the students all of the time. I again explained Colton can not communicate when something happens to him and they asked what we do at home. James brought up the "Circle of Friends" which was supposed to help Colton learn social skills through being around other students that could help him learn proper interactions with others. I had been told in the fall of this school year and during and IEP meeting at the beginning of the calendar year that this would be implemented. We were told the school therapist would be instrumental in that. Then he brought up a name of a student that could be paired up with Colton during recess. I asked them both to contact Colton's mental health providers with hopes that they actually would call them and maybe get some information that would help them understand an autistic mind.
Colton's mental status was a great concern to us and I managed to get him into his psychiatric nurse practitioner on this day. I told her that we kept Colton out of school today and she agreed that he was not safe there. She instructed me to keep him out of school until I could get ahold of his autism doctor. She also ended up adjusting his medication to help him deal with the anxiety he was now dealing with. She did share with me the guidance counselor did call her, but she hadn't returned his call yet because of her schedule.
Here is the email I sent to the guidance counselor:
James and talked a lot over the weekend about how Colton would have his movements restricted when the people harming him would be able to move about freely during recess. It didn't make sense to us. We also decided to ask for a para to be with him during the school day.
March 5, 2012
I called the district office and set up a meeting with the school superintendent and middle school principal. The meeting was to be held at 11:30 A.M. The three of us met and I was told the situation was taken care of by the principal. I asked for an aide and of course the superintendent said it would take time (translation=no). Colton was moved to the front row in math class from the back so he could be watched. All of the teachers were aware of what happened and are watching more. Colton had been moved to the front row of all of his classes and he would be going to the media center with one or two friends during lunch recess to play a game. I was told the principal or guidance counselor would walk him to the media center after lunch and that he would be returned to recess with the rest of the students after a week or two. Colton would go to a classroom after getting off the bus in the morning so he would not be in the gym with the rest of the student and he would end the day in a classroom of a teacher he trusted so he could share anything he needed to before leaving school. The option was put out he could also leave classes 3 minutes early to avoid having to be in the halls full of students during passing periods. I requested these things be put in writing and the principal agreed to do so.
I remained very calm this whole time and then the bomb dropped. The superintendent sat behind his desk. The principal and I sat in chairs that where side by side in front of the superintendent's desk facing the superintendent. The principal started speaking and I turned to face him. He slowly brought his hand up and said "I don't want to offend you, but do you think Colton would hurt himself to get attention?" First of all, when someone says "I don't want to offend you" that means they are going to offend you. My brain exploded, but I kept calm knowing he was trying to push my buttons. I calmly said "no." I also calmly said he has never hurt himself to get attention and he only has these injuries when he comes home from school. I also pointed out that students had received consequences for hurting him. Every time Colton said someone hurt him there was someone involved and they were disciplined. I was pissed off, but I wouldn't let them know it, because it was probably what they wanted.
I brought up Colton's attendance and it wasn't a problem. He had missed a lot of days because of doctor's appointments and now at least two days because of the anxiety and safety concerns we had. We had given the school doctor's notes and according to school policy they were excused. Make a mental note of this because it will come up again.
After the meeting I went over the the middle school to pick up Colton's assignments. I called the school before 8:00 A.M. and they say they have all the assignments there by noon. I was there at 12:05 and there were only two math worksheets. None of the other teachers had gotten his assignments turned in. One teacher did email me later in the day with a spelling word list, but the rest of his work was still at school. He missed two days of school and even though I attempted to get his work so he could get it done before returning, he couldn't because of their actions. Now he was stressed about returning to school and getting his work caught up.
*This ratio was used a lot. I don't know if it was supposed to conjure up sympathy or what.
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