This just in: The TC Palm reports that in the wake of autistic kindergartener Alex Barton being voted out of class, Florida state's Office of the Attorney General is now taking a broader look into how children with autism are treated in Florida's schools. After Alex's story broke, other parents of autistic children came forward to voice their own complaints, and those voices (with media microphones on) were (finally) heard.
I (skeptic that I am) hope that this isn't just a PR move to soothe angry voices of protest, but a genuine attempt by the state of Florida to improve conditions for its students. And assuming (giver of the benefit of the doubt that I am) that it is, I applaud the state of Florida. You go, Florida. Better late than never!
Update: If you live in the state of Florida and have a concern about the way your special needs child has been treated in the classroom, you can contact the Attorney General's office by phone, toll free, at (866) 966-7226. Additional contact information can be found on their website.
Being from Florida, I am reluctant to cheer Florida, but if for once in its sunshine delusional life it is doing the right thing, then yeah, okay...go, Florida, go.
But don't tell anyone I said that.
I don't think intent matters when you're dealing with institutions.
Any more I could care less how people "feel." I care what they do. If Florida makes it harder to abuse children in the classroom, good. I don't care if they do that out of embarrassment, fear that they're going to lose federal funds, fear of a lawsuit, or because they're trying to raise test scores. I think they'll do a better job if their motivations are more pure or noble.
But ultimately, it doesn't really matter much to the next autistic child WHY things were improved, just that they were improved.
I still want to know more about the children who were able to withstand the peer pressure and vote to keep little Alex. I can't believe that hasn't gotten more press. Why aren't we all trying to pick those parents' brains so we can copy whatever they did that was right with our own children?
gentlepath, you bring up a really interesting point. My experience (with people and institutions) has led me to a different place.
I started to respond in this comment, but I think I'm inspired enough that what I think about intentionality and change (in people and institutions) should probably be a separate post.