Autistic Boy Charged With Making Terrorist Threats Over Stick-Figure Sketch

reply to post by ModernAcademia


Oh yeah and don't forget about the Teacher that physically abused a 13 year old for saying something to a younger girl. That one angered me more then life, I saw the real video and it's people like this that shouldn't even be near children at all!!

My son has Autism, and Aspergers, I would personally be making this teacher's life a living hell if this was my son!!

Why is it that stories like this always seem to come from the United States?
Dont get me wrong, I think the United States is a beautiful country with some the most friendly people but stories like this just go to show how F'd up the country is becoming.
Im sorry, but the American mass population needs to wake up and wake up FAST.
Turn off your TV's and start thinking again for yourselves!!

"No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow" -Alice Walker

Originally posted by Miracle Man
I'm sorry but doesn't it seem weird to anybody that an autistic child with the mental capacity of a 3rd grader is in the 8th grade?

No I don't just because he has Autism doesn't mean he can't advance like his peers do. My son is in the sixth grade and very immature, but he has the right just like his regular peers do, to be in that grade level. He may need help with his homework, and he may need things to keep him on track, but he has the right to be in 6th grade. Don't let the immaturity fool you. Yes, he is in some special education classes, and he knows his limits, and he knows what he is capable of.

My son is 12 years old and at an adult reading level, he is extremely smart, and is capable of getting ahead. If I had looked at Aspergers and Autism as a disease he probably wouldn't be where he is at today! He may be challenging at times, but deep down inside he is like everyone else. This is the issue I have with parents and other people who don't understand Autism they look at it as if their kids are doomed, they are not. All they require is a little extra effort, help, and a lot of understanding!!

That is horrid, it really is. What ever happened to freedom of speech, and how do we know the little gun wasn't a water pistol?

My 6 year old is autistic, she told her teacher last year she would kick her A$$ if she didn't leave her alone, makes me wonder if they would have arrested her for that? In fact my daughter took on 9 police last year, and she won. the poor police were poking at her to get her out from under a table in the lunch room. Well she ended up putting 5 of them in the ambulance. I am surprised as heck that they didn't put her in jail for that. That is bad though when a 5 year old can leave 5 men in tears. And the other 4 were bruised up pretty bad.

I am sure if anyone around here got it for being a terrorist it would be her.

wait wait wait, so now you can make fun of the muslim prophet but you cant draw yourself shooting a teacher or draw bombs?

freedom of speech/expression is so messed up these days.

if hes getting charged for this then everyone who insult faiths and races should also be charged.

Seeing as many people are talking about the mainstreaming of disabled children, I'll add my own comments, as I am a public school teacher.

Mainstreaming has been gaining ground in the past five years or so. When I was in college, my education professors were always talking about the benefits of mainstreaming students into regular classrooms. It has its upsides and its downsides.

In my former classroom (I was laid off due to budget cuts), I had what are called IEP's, or Individual Education Profiles. I had five students in my classroom that had these IEP's. These students supposedly were anything from hyperactive to having varying levels of autism. These IEP's gave explicit instructions on how to give tests, on how to treat these students, and how to handle them when they "got out of control." I chose not to follow these instructions, because it is my belief that if they are going to mainstream them, then they should be afforded the same rights as the "normal" students. Four out of five of these students functioned at the grade level of their peers, and in some aspects, excelled over their "normal" peers. I administered quizzes and tests for them the same way that I did for the others. They all had a higher average in my classes that most of the "normal" students. I never had any behavioral issues with any of them, and they were always polite. Their mannerisms were slightly different from the "normal" kids, but they all functioned at the same level as the other students. Of course, this is just one case, but I bet if you look around, you'll see that this isn't the norm in some classrooms.

The downsides can be quite devastating to both instructor and student. I have seen some in my district that are severely mentally and physically handicapped, being mainstreamed into many classes. They do not have the functioning level of other students, and this has been proven. These students would function better in a one-on-one environment where they have time to develop the concepts that they need to continue. Unfortunately, in the most extreme cases of handicap, this is the norm. Budgets all over my state are starting to reflect the crisis of our nation, and there are many special ed teachers and spec. ed. aides that are now being cut, and forcing more and more of the most severe cases of these students to be mainstreamed because of the lack of money. The other troubling thing is that many educations majors have no more than two weeks of special education training before going into the field. This is the downside of mainstreaming. You have teachers that are not equipped with the tools to handle the varying degrees of mental/physical/emotional handicap, and therefore, cases like this one arise.

I had a student of mine (one of the mainstreamed ones) make a drawing similar to this, because I corrected her behavior one day during my class. I did not think she was going to kill me, and it was not threatening in any way, shape, or form. She was showing frustration towards me because she did not understand what she was doing wrong. When I saw the picture, I talked with her, and understood where she was coming from: she was upset because she did not understand the lesson being taught, and was acting out because of it. She did not have the tools to handle it any other way. I had her come in after school with her aide to go over the lesson again. She showed me a huge smile afterward because she understood the lesson better.

The problem is with under-trained teachers. There should be more emphasis put on learning how to deal with the special education aspect of schooling including: learning about the various learning disabilities, the mental/physical/emotional disabilities, and learning how to deal with them in an appropriate and professional manner. Obviously this teacher had no idea how to handle this situation, and in my opinion, overreacted to the drawing, as well as the school.

It's a well-known fact that many charter schools hire teachers that may or may not be qualified to be teachers in the first place. If you look at how many close within five years of opening, the numbers are shocking.

And yes, many of them are publicly funded, because they receive vouchers for students from the state, which is money that us tax-payers put into their coffers.

I really hope that the state steps in, in this case, and looks at all the details before making a judgment on a student who may or may not have known how to appropriately show his disdain for his teacher.



Peace be with you.

-truthseeker

reply to post by Mudman21


That will teach pushie mothers who insist their lovely little ones be mainstreamed!

The above statement is as sick of a joke as the teacher who has ruined this poor child and his parents lives forever. Meanwhile this inept teacher will be promoted for doing an outstanding job in averse, dangerous environment.

What is worse this teacher or the cops that killed two dogs over a gram of pot as featured in ATS?????

Cops kill two dogs over a gram of pot endangering a wife and child

In a time when our old has to deal crack to make ends meet.....

Grannie sell Crack to make a living 87 years old

WTF kind of world has America created?????? The eastern block must be laughing!!!!!

Sorry these stories are getting to me. I was educated in USA and wish I could now talk with my teachers....

Question 1) WTF?????

reply to post by IceHappy


I really hope you're not referring to my statement as a sick joke, because it's not. It's the reality of the education system in the US.


Peace be with you.

-truthseeker

Even ignoring the "autistic" aspect of this story for a moment, I do understand the feeling that teachers should be protected from real threats of violence...

...However, "zero tolerance policies" are simply for the lazy and/or cowardly school administrator. Zero tolerance policies on things such as gun threats don't allow logical and "Solomon-like" decisions to be made by the people in power -- most likely because those people in power don't want to go through the "hassle" of making logical judgments.

It's so much easier for the lazy/cowardly school administrator to say "We have rules about this, and this child broke the rules" -- as if the school administrator is saying "I have no choice -- my hands are tied by the rules". Of course he has a choice -- he is just too lazy and/or cowardly to be hassled by making a logical and well-thought-out decision -- so he let's the "rules" make his decision for him.

[edit on 5/15/2010 by Soylent Green Is People]

What happened to writing lines?

Back in my day, I can't believe I just said that, but really back in my day a kid drawing something like that would have had lines.

I will not draw Godzilla stepping on the school.
I will not draw Godzilla eating the principal.

Usually two to three pages worth, if it wasn't done on the chalkboard.

Well I tend to agree with most of you... but theres one thing.

That was done in America, land of the loons... so, maybe IF the kids from columbine started to draw first as a warning of what came later maybe, only MAYBE that crap that happened wouldnt have.

In any other country I would not think of "other serious stuff behind it" but... thats america... and considering what happened before and not only once, I do think the kid should be "under closer look".

And btw... being autistic is NOT an excuse for anything, its just another reason to be even more careful with him.

reply to post by FraternitasSaturni


First of all , I agree entirely that care ought to be taken with autistic persons, and that autism is not an excuse for evil . However it must be understood that autism does not increase a persons capacity for violence , and in many cases DECREASES the likelihood of that person becoming involved with serious violence.
The truely nasty cases that come up in schools are almost without exception a result of undiagnosed psychopathy or scizophrenic behaviours, or the influence of pack mentality IE little league gang attitude. Autism has many manifestations, and some of those can involve involuntary outbursts but it is so rare for an autistic person to be capable of serious violence , that it goes to negative probability . People need to understand psychology far better , and specificaly this point. Not all mental conditions are dangerous to others, and further, the differences between those ailments, and the risk they present to the sufferer, and those around them.

reply to post by Mudman21


Where is the humanity? where is the compassion? This is state bullying. Can anyone imagine how confusing all this hoopla must be for for the kid?

It is bullying because they haven't got the cojones to go after a really terrorist. May god spare us from these blowhard cowards.

[edit on 15-5-2010 by Tiger5]

This is a product of the education system that has turned the people of america into idiots over the last few decades....
The mentality you see on the evening news every night is on parr with this kind of distorted view of reality.....
To charge this kid with anything is utterly barmy.
Yet this is the type of people that we are being turned into.
The younger one is the more likely he or she will agree with this outcome...
We older people had a much better education than they have, and can still think, however the younger generations are not imbued with the same kind of common sense we were.....
This situation is the result the falling amount of time our kids spend in our company.
As technology has increased, the time spent in child rearing has decreased radically....others do the rearing now...TV,etc.....

[edit on 15-5-2010 by stirling]

[edit on 15-5-2010 by stirling]

reply to post by rcwj1975

Something doesn't make sense. I heard about this, since its a few minutes from me and what is odd is MOM is claiming he has the capacity of a third grader, yet he is in a standard 8th grade class???? How is that, how is he able to mentally complete his work and assignments if he truly is that handicapped, yet not understand his drawing?

Oooooo yeah, Good point!!!

It's not like the mother could be terrified for her sons well being and would possibly be exaggerating a bit to aid her son in getting some sympathy in a country full of witch burning crazy nuts right?

Yeah the kid must be a secret spy for the Taliban no doubt about that.

He is also being charged with terroristic threats, NOT terrorist threats....HUGE difference.

OH yeah HUGE difference!!!

They are actual in complete opposite of each other.

Bottom line is we have kids showing up at schools these days killing other kids and teachers...should this be addressed, YES! Autism is a sad thing and I feel for this family and boy, but I never knew autism as an excuse to draw pictures of killing your teacher....last I heard autism causes kids to repeat things, restrict interaction, and body movement, NOT cause for drawings like this.

Yeah crazy times we live in huh?

Last I heard cops were supposed to protect and serve not spend all day on ATS making Autistic kids look like potential murderers.

Seriously dude don't you have a life? A wife? Some kids?

All you do is go out every day and valiantly fight crime then spend all the rest of your day on ATS defending Cops committing oppression and making comments of suspicion about little kids drawings?

Something about you does not add up.

And when I say it should be addressed, I don't mean arrested...I mean the parents and school should take all measures to get him help. Talk to him, find out whats going on, etc....he doesn't need to be charged...I agree, but does need to be made aware of what he did isn't smart and why.

I'm sure the kid has learned his lesson, hopefully his life has not been ruined by people with your overly suspicious mind set.



[edit on 15-5-2010 by Izarith]

reply to post by Izarith


Thanks for your useless input, as usual, and isn't it embarrising to show up late to the party and NOT know whats going on from the time it started until now.....might wanna read the pages inbetween 1 and 6 before you comment.

As I said before, your posts speak VOLUMES about you, so no need for me to elaborate any further......those who have read your stuff know what I mean.

Other then that, thanks for the inquiry into my life....I am SURE you'll be happy to hear that I learned how to manage my days, my work, my family, and my friends, a LONG time ago........and still have PLENTY of time to visit good old ATS.

Bottom line Izareth, I'm FIGJAM: F#%& I'm Good, Just Ask Me!


EDIT TO ADD: You commute from Mexico to the US daily, according to you...I commute 8 minutes to the precinct I work out of....so maybe if you didn't have to drive so far, you would have more time on ATS too....

[edit on 5/16/2010 by rcwj1975]

reply to post by rcwj1975

I never knew autism as an excuse to draw pictures of killing your teacher....last I heard autism causes kids to repeat things, restrict interaction, and body movement, NOT cause for drawings like this.

You are partially right about autism, friend. I do not know all the answers to this ailment, but from working with kids that do have it I can tell you that most can function fine as far as academics go. See my post for an example. What some lack are basic social skills that must be repeated day in and day out for months, and sometimes, years on end before they can fully comprehend how to integrate these social skills into their everyday lives. Case in point: this boy. He may not have learned the proper outlet to show disdain for his teacher, so he did the only thing that he knew how to do in order to accomplish this: he drew this picture. Unless this child has had a history of violence, it is my opinion as an educator that he did not pose any threat to this teacher. This entire fiasco is the knee-jerk reaction of an educator who was not properly trained in special education. I understand where you are coming from, but I grew up in a school that mainstreamed kids. We had at least five "boom" threats a week drawn on bathroom walls. Most were done in the special education wing of our high school, and most of the children did not understand the consequences of writing this.

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree that this child could "pose a threat." Of course, like I said, we do not have a full history on this child in order to come to that conclusion, but relying on my background as an educator, I feel like I can come to this conclusion. All the hooplah about this stupid drawing was thrown way overboard. It was a drawing, and nothing else.

Over all, we are all speculating on this matter, and until we truly find out what is going on, speculation is the only thing that we can do.


Peace be with you.

-truthseeker

Originally posted by Tragic
I'm sorry to say that a 3rd grader (by his mentality stated) knows that they shouldn't draw a picture of himself shooting his teacher.
I will say though that maybe he didn't understand what happens when the trigger is pulled?
I have a cousin, who's son has autism. I know that he's really smart but there are simple things that just don't make any sense at all to him.
They need to do some homework on Autism and then make their decisions.
But facing terrorist charges? Are you F'in kidding me?!
It's a drawing, not a real gun!
Crikey, these people need to get a grip.


[edit on 14-5-2010 by Tragic]

If you look at children's cartoons, it's easy to see why children wouldn't think it's inappropriate. If the child plays video games, it's all about killing.
It's not against the law to draw a picture expressing your anger, is it?
From the way this teacher reacted (calling in the authorities),
I see why this boy has some animosity towards her.
She sounds like her medication needs to be changed.

reply to post by truthseeker1984


I agree it is speculation...but we have been proven wrong a few times in the past few years. We still want to believe NO CHILD could ever do something like get a gun and kill others for no reason, or petty reasons..BUT...it has happend. All I want is for them to find out the scoop...get the info they need and THEN make a decision......

I wish the world WOULDN'T have ever gone in this direction...but here we are....

Originally posted by rcwj1975
reply to post by truthseeker1984

 

I agree it is speculation...but we have been proven wrong a few times in the past few years. We still want to believe NO CHILD could ever do something like get a gun and kill others for no reason, or petty reasons..BUT...it has happend. All I want is for them to find out the scoop...get the info they need and THEN make a decision......

I wish the world WOULDN'T have ever gone in this direction...but here we are....

You're right. It sucks that the world has gone in this direction, but here we are. I remember in my home economics class in elementary school (19 years ago) I sewed a stuffed bunny called "commando bunny" complete with carrot gun and easter egg grenades. I never went shooting people or anything else, and I hope that before they crucify this child, they get their facts straight and come to an understanding about people with autism. It wasn't so long ago that Texas executed someone with a mental handicap....someone that did not understand the extent of what they did. Like I said before, this is just a drawing from the mind of an angry child with autism...a stick figure at that...a child that the teacher was obviously not qualified to teach. Let's just hope that the real truth comes out in this case, and that they stop throwing around the word "terrorist" like it was the next best thing since sliced bread.


Peace be with you.

-truthseeker

[edit on 16-5-2010 by truthseeker1984]