SAN ANTONIO -- Parents of special-needs children had a message for the Northeast Independent School District: Stop mistreating autistic students.
Columba Wilson was among the voices Monday night after she says her 6-year-old autistic grandson was handcuffed during a recent outburst at school.
"I thought it was nasty, I though it was inappropriate," she said. "You don't call the police on a 6-year-old that is autistic."
Cassandra Barnes said the boy became upset after being picked on by students. Then the police were called, who Barnes claims had no idea the boy was special-needs.
Barnes and others said that kind of treatment points to the fact that teachers and officers need more training on how to deal with special-needs children.
School officials said all staff, including police, are trained, and that sometimes restraining a student is used as a last resort.
"If a child is hurting themselves or others around them, there is a behavioral plan in place," said Chrissie Kolb, of the NEISD.
Concerned parents spoke before the board Monday night, demanding a ban on handcuffing autistic children. But no action was taken because the item was not on the agenda, board members said.
