Parents in Georgia are raising concerns about school disciplinary policies after their 6-year-old son, who has autism, was suspended for biting his sandwich into the shape of a gun and pointing it at a classmate.
Kristin and Juan "Ricky" Medina told Fox News Digital that their son, John, was suspended last March while in first grade at Sarah Harp Elementary School in Fayette County. John was diagnosed with level 1 autism at age 4 and later with ADHD, conditions his parents say affect his understanding of social norms.
The Medinas stated that while John is academically advanced, the school's disciplinary actions have led to approximately 15 suspensions and over two dozen disciplinary incidents since 2023. They contend that many of these actions, including drawing hunting scenes or making hand gestures, have been disproportionate to the behavior, especially given John's diagnoses.
John's parents expressed worry that the repeated focus on what they consider harmless childhood behavior has negatively impacted his self-esteem, leading him to feel like a "bad kid." They are advocating for less severe disciplinary measures and more focus on teachable moments.
"Instead of singling him out, just make it a teachable moment for him. Teach, ‘Hey, we don't do this in school because of this reason, it's not appropriate,’" Kristin Medina said.
According to the parents, obtaining developmental accommodations for John was challenging. Kristin Medina reported that the school initially resisted granting him an Individualized Education Program (IEP), stating that he was too academically advanced and that his autism was not apparent to officials. It reportedly took about 18 months, multiple suspensions, and a second evaluation that led to an ADHD diagnosis before an IEP was approved.
The family noted that their son has shown improvement, particularly after hiring a special education advocate and implementing a behavioral plan. This plan includes an aide during unstructured times like lunch, recess, and physical education, as well as time in a smaller, calmer classroom setting.
Fayette County Public Schools, when contacted by Fox News Digital, declined to comment on the specifics of John's case. The district stated that it encourages a review of a student's "complete disciplinary history and the full context surrounding the situation rather than focusing on one isolated event."