Georgia Parents Challenge 15 Suspensions of 6-Year-Old Autistic Son After Sandwich Gun Incident
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 11
Georgia Parents Challenge 15 Suspensions of 6-Year-Old Autistic Son After Sandwich Gun Incident
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 11
Summary
Kristin and Juan Medina are urging Sarah Harp Elementary to curb suspensions after their 6-year-old son John was punished in first grade for biting a sandwich into a gun shape and pointing it at a classmate.
About 15 suspensions and more than two dozen disciplinary actions since 2023 have, the parents say, punished autism- and ADHD-linked impulsive behavior that John often does not understand, including hand gestures and drawings.
A year and a half, 10 to 12 suspensions and a second evaluation later, the school approved an IEP; John now has an aide during lunch, recess and PE and time in a smaller classroom.
The family says the discipline damaged John's self-esteem and made him reluctant to attend school, while the district declined to discuss specifics and said his full disciplinary history should be reviewed.