It is common knowledge that some children with autism can become aggressive sometimes. However, a school resource officer at Calusa Elemantary School in Florida handcuffed a seven-year-old boy with autism who had a meltdown.
According to 10News, the school resource officer handcuffed the boy with autism and then tried to commit him at a mental hospital. According to Sande Bard-Butler, the mother of the boy, his son Allen has autism and traumatic brain injury.
"Allen can get triggered and upset and be very aggressive, but if you handle it in the right way, it can be de-escalated very quickly," the mother explained to 10News WTSP. "They put him on his stomach on the floor and put handcuffs behind his back. I'm frustrated and angry, very angry."
The Paco Sheriff's Office explained to 10News that deputies can handcuff anyone if they pose a danger to other people. The report says that Allen lashed out at his female teacher and even raised his pencil like he was going to stab her.
"We warn them probably 1,000 times in the last two years about pencils, keep them away from him. If you know the child can be dangerous with the pencil, don't give them a pencil," the mother argued.
The mother also has plans to sue the people responsible. She has pictures of the handcuff marks on the wrists of Allen as well as other body bruises caused by the unfortunate event.
"Parenting Girls on the Autism Spectrum" author Eileen Riley-Hall talked to CARE about how to effectively deal with a child with autism that is having a meltdown. "It's really important not to always give in to meltdowns because you're afraid of them. The basic thing is to hold them and calm them and wait until they can calm down themselves."
