May 30, 2008 9:00 pm US/Eastern
Phila. Mom Angered Over Treatment Of Autistic Son
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
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A Northeast Philadelphia mother said her autistic son was left with a bus assistant inside Stephen Decatur school last week.
CBS
A Northeast Philadelphia mother is angry after she said her son's school did not properly care for him.
Dawn Elliot said while the rest of his classmates went on a field trip, her son, who suffers from autism, sat in class practically alone.
Dawn said when she walked into Stephen Decatur school last Wednesday, she reached her breaking point.
While his classmates went on the trip, Jimmy was supposed to enjoy a day of learning, but that was not the case.
Dawn said her son was left in a classroom with only his bus assistant who is not trained to teach autistic children.
"I cried, I cried first and I just had it," Dawn said. "I thought you had a choice, you could just sit there and take it or you do something about it."
In addition to a bus assistant, Jimmy is supposed to have a special education teacher and a therapeutic support worker.
Dawn said support workers or TSS are in short supply.
"We have TSS's that come and go, it's a revolving door and I am done, I am at my breaking point," Dawn said.
Dawn said her problem lies with the school district and not the staff at the Stephen Decatur school. She said the district is failing special needs students.
"It's all broken promises and I don't think I can handle one more broken promise," Dawn said.
A statement from the School District of Philadelphia read: "As a result of Channel 3 contacting the school district officials today about this situation, the school district has asked the Northeast Regional Superintendent to investigate the situation and provide a recommendation about what actions should be taken"
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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