Autistic student to face charges in Md. (x-post from Disability)

[KamaAina]

http://wmar.m0bl.net/w/main/story/22373825/

Diagnosed with autism at the age of three, Cameron's hands are always moving and he finds joy in simple things like seeing his reflection in a window.

But when he became difficult, acting out in class, he landed in the guidance office Tuesday where he allegedly landed a blow on the vice principal.

"I'm sure Cameron... he's upset, so I'm sure he actually hit him, but he wasn't trained," said Gina Mears, Cameron's mother, "You shouldn't be putting yourself in a situation where you're not trained, and that's the thing with the school system---there's not enough trained people working with these kids with autism and disabilities."...

The school wants to press charges, and now the Frederick County Sheriff's Office plans to refer him to the Department of Juvenile Justice where he'll face one count of disrupting school activities and a separate count of battery.

I'm sure a stretch in juvie will do Cameron a world of good. :sarcasm: Then again, is there a jury in the land that would convict someone for hitting a vice principal? :P

[jillan]

1. Omg - I have a daughter with disabilities. She cannot cope with anger and frustration in a "normal"

way. This is just bullshit. Stand strong Gina and be an advocate for your child.

[antigone382]

2. It seems like this would be pretty easy to throw out based on an insanity defense...

Not that "autistic" is synonymous with "insane," but that the specific criteria for an insanity defense, that one could not control, or did not comprehend the nature of the seemingly criminal act, would be pretty easy to establish. I can imagine the child was in a state of debilitating terror, which any psychiatrist worth his salt could verify.

[opihimoimoi]

3. Such is the World of FEAR foisted on us by the GOPer Party....People afraid NOT to follow the Letter

of the LAW

[madrchsod]

4. where my wife works they have had adults arrested by the police

but this was in an entirely different situation.

sometimes i wonder just who is the mentally handcapped