North Charleston, South Carolina. The family of an autistic boy who had a school resource officer draw a gun on him at Fort Dorchester High School is now demanding more autism awareness training.
This follows the incident on November 7, in which a school resource officer drew his service pistol on the student and ordered him to lie on the ground. Police say a staff member informed the officer about a student who allegedly told another student that her grandson was carrying a firearm. When the officer requested that the kid take his hands from the pockets of his hoodie, he allegedly stated that he had “a switch,” which was misconstrued as a “Glock switch.”
The misinterpretation resulted in the gun being drawn on him, and the student was eventually arrested. Following a manifestation meeting to discuss disciplinary action, the student’s family withdrew him from the school system, hired a trauma therapist, and is considering legal action.
“We’re holding on, and we’re dealing with it as best we can,” the student’s grandma says. “He will not be returning to Fort Dorchester. “It’s too triggering.”
She recalls receiving the call that an officer’s gun had struck her grandson in the face at his school.
“At first, I didn’t believe it,” Murray admits. “My anxiety built up; the closer I got to the school, the more anxious I got.”
Just Bee, an autistic advocacy organization, has been advocating for greater autism training for first responders in the Lowcountry. Layla Luna, the founder of Just Bee, believes that education and awareness are critical to save lives, particularly among people with autism.
So far, her organization has collaborated with the Charleston Police Department, Hanahan Police Department, and Charleston International Airport Police Department. They recently secured a contract with the North Charleston Police Department.
“We know that individuals that are on the spectrum will have at least four encounters with law enforcement in their lifetime, and 93% of them have said that it’s been negative,” according to Luna. “So, we want to make sure we’re properly taught. “Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”
She also stated that sensory instruments are required in tense situations to give comfort and relaxation. Murray’s grandson had the Nintendo Switch.
Murray says the upcoming contract gives her hope that more cops will receive autism sensitivity training.
“You have to understand what it is, who you’re dealing with, and what the limitations look like,” Murray tells me. “There is just so much involved. It’s simply vital to know as much as possible in order to analyze the situation and respond accordingly.”
During the manifestation meeting, the family claims the school system decided the incident was caused by the school’s failure to administer its specialized education program, which requires all children with disabilities to be accompanied by an assistant at all times.
His family says they were astonished when the institution admitted guilt.
“They had to acknowledge the fact that here’s a kid that has an IEP that requires him to have a one-on-one support that was not present during all of what had transpired,” Murray elaborates. “So, it wasn’t until the end where the coordinator graciously said, ‘We messed up.”
The family still wants an apology from the school.
