I have written a book on the politics of autism policy. Building on this research, this blog offers insights, analysis, and facts about recent events. If you have advice, tips, or comments, please get in touch with me at jpitney@cmc.edu
A teacher's video of a special education student being beaten in class has led to the arrest of a teacher's aide.
Parents said the video shows a paraprofessional assaulting students and they want her arrested.
It happened at Harper-Archer Middle School in northwest Atlanta in February.
Paraprofessional Alger Coleman was arrested, and faces child cruelty and simple battery charges.
Channel 2’s Tom Jones was going to interview the mother of the student Coleman is accused of abusing, but after she got a glimpse of the video she became emotional and couldn't continue.
The mother of another student who was mistreated was able to talk about what happened.
"I was heartbroken. I was very heartbroken," she said after learning about the abuse involving her 11-year-old autistic son by a teacher's aide. "I really couldn't believe the school was letting this go on," she said, not wanting to be identified because of the sensitivity surrounding the allegations.
While Coleman was charged, a second paraprofessional wasn't. That didn't sit well with the victims' parents.
