My son, who has autism, was suspended from school simply for "bouncing and clapping in his chair," which is a common form of "stimming"—a behavior used by children with autism to self-regulate. This innocent action was disastrously misunderstood by school staff as disruptive behavior. This isn't an isolated incident; my son has been harassed multiple times and continuously by individuals within the school, including the Vice Principal Dr. Sabrina Sears, Math teacher Amy Moore, and the Resource Officer. The person meant to provide him the support he needs, his IEP teacher Mrs. Ethridge, has done little to nothing to support him and even yells at him to "focus," contributing to an environment that is not inclusive or supportive. Shockingly, she even removed him from his Individualized Education Plan (IEP) without our parental consent.

These events highlight a critical need for change in our school system. All staff—teachers, administrators, and resource officers—need to be comprehensively trained to understand and support students with special needs, particularly those with autism. Inadequate understanding risks the wellbeing and educational development of these vulnerable children.

Special needs training is not just about sensitivity; it is about equipping school staff with the skills to appropriately respond to situations involving students with disabilities, understanding their behaviors, and facilitating an inclusive learning environment. It aids in preventing misjudgments, like the unfortunate suspensions over benign actions and HEI protocol violations, disrupting a child's learning and causing distress to both child and parents.

Perquimans County Schools must act by implementing mandatory annual training sessions focused on special needs education. These sessions should include the latest research on autism and other disabilities, practical strategies for inclusive education, and first-hand testimonials from experts and parents.

By pursuing such a policy, we can ensure our schools become a beacon of hope and acceptance, rather than places of isolation and misunderstanding for children with disabilities. It’s crucial that children, regardless of their disabilities, have access to a supportive, understanding, and educated school environment.

Sign this petition to urge Perquimans County Schools to undertake this necessary step and ensure that all students receive the quality education they deserve, free from misunderstanding and prejudice.