NJ Dad Speaks Out Against Teachers Who Bullied His Autistic Son

Dad Speaks Out Against Teachers Who Bullied His Autistic Son

I cannot even put into words how happy (for lack of a better word) I am to hear that a story about Autism and abuse at school is getting a national forum this week. This story has brought tears to my eyes. It’s a discussion that’s too often ignored and so many parents of special needs kids suffer in silence while teachers and districts ignore their pleas, “Something is not right, this does not sound like my child. My child is more sad and upset since starting school.”

But how can you prove it? How can you get teachers to take you seriously? How can you defend your child when they can’t even express what is happening to them?

One dad took matters into his own hands. He wired his son before school one morning and sent him off hoping he was wrong…but knowing he was right at his core. All the red flags were there.

This dad, Stuart Chaifetz, produced a six and a half hour audio tape to teachers and district officials that proved that his son was being provoked and verbally abused in school.

Autism & Special Needs in My Life

Some of you may remember me posting here about Autism, special needs and poor treatment in classroom environments. My husband was a victim of abuse from teachers himself. He was a special needs kid and was recently (at the age of 33) diagnosed with Dyslexia (more on what Dyslexia really is soon). As a child, my husband was beaten and tied down to chairs by teachers. He was both verbally and physically abused by teachers.

I’m also tía to three special needs kids…so I don’t take this topic lightly. It’s something I know I should be talking about more, but honestly, it’s one of those topics that breaks me down. It hurts. But even as much as it hurts me, I know it hurts my sisters who feel outnumbered by teachers who refuse to acknowledge their concerns, downplay inappropriate treatment of special needs kids and disempower them by not allowing them to have a voice in the classroom. Because really, most teachers just don’t know. They have no clue. Often times they are creating an aggressive and exclusive environment without even knowing it because they just don’t get Autism…and that’s a huge problem. HUGE.

The issue for me is that the audio you’ll hear below isn’t as rare as many might like to believe…it’s NOT…and it should be a huge concern in special needs classrooms around the country. We need to realize how vast this problem is and take action like this father has. He is protecting his child from bullies. Whether they be teachers or peers, he’s doing what we all need to do…CALL THEM OUT.

Thank you Lord for social media and for giving the little guys power. ♥

I hope you will watch the video below and think about ways that you can get involved or draw attention to stories like this. There is also a petition to be signed. Please visit the link below to contribute your voice to this dad’s important message. Show districts that special needs kids deserve better. ♥

WATCH THE VIDEO: