In a shocking move, a middle school teacher assigned a desk for her student, a boy with autism, in a school bathroom—an attempt to provide him with a quiet environment for his studies. The incident has left his mother, Sarah Mitchell, in disbelief and distress.
Sarah, from Seattle, took to Facebook to share a photo of her 11-year-old son, Jake, who has autism and an autoimmune disorder. The image showed Jake’s desk precariously placed over a toilet in the restroom of Pinewood Middle School, along with a chair and a camping mat for napping on the bathroom floor. “This was the teacher’s idea of a quiet space… yes, that’s my son in a bathroom, with his desk literally over a toilet,” she expressed.
Sarah explained that Jake thrives in peaceful settings, and when she suggested that he could work in the library instead, the response was a firm no. “They claimed it was acceptable for him to be there since they ‘don’t use it as a bathroom,’” she recounted.
In a conversation with Yahoo Lifestyle, Sarah revealed that Jake had been facing challenges transitioning from elementary to middle school, and the family had previously discussed creating designated quiet spaces for him, like a conference room or an unused office. When she discovered during a school drop-off that her son’s desk had been moved into the restroom, she was understandably furious.
The school superintendent later issued a statement, acknowledging the limitations of state funding for schools and the need to creatively utilize existing facilities to accommodate students’ needs.
However, Sarah emphasized that the bathroom setting is far from suitable for anyone, especially for Jake, who has PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections). “He can’t be around germs; it’s detrimental to his health,” she explained. “The smell and the idea of my son doing his schoolwork in such a place was disturbing.”
Sarah stated that her son would not return to school until appropriate, safe, and hygienic accommodations were made. “My son felt humiliated and disgusted by this inhumane suggestion. I took him home immediately, and he was so anxious that he was throwing up,” she shared on Facebook. “How is this considered a best practice? We must do better.”
For those navigating similar situations, it’s vital to know you’re not alone. Resources like Progyny offer valuable insights on handling educational needs for children. And for those considering family planning options, check out our post on the BabyMaker Home Intracervical Insemination Syringe Kit Combo and the CryoBaby At-Home Insemination Kit.
In conclusion, this situation highlights the importance of understanding and accommodating the needs of children with special requirements. We must advocate for safer, more humane solutions in educational environments.
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