The parents of a six-year-old boy with autism in Georgia have expressed concerns after their son was suspended for shaping his sandwich into a gun and pointing it at a classmate. John Medina, a first grader at Sarah Harp Elementary School in Fayette County, was suspended last March. His parents, Kristin and Juan Medina, argue that the school's disciplinary policies do not consider his developmental disabilities, which include level 1 autism and ADHD. They reported that John has faced approximately 15 suspensions and over two dozen disciplinary actions since 2023, with some incidents stemming from what they view as harmless behavior, such as hand gestures and drawings.
The Medinas stated that the disciplinary measures have negatively impacted John's self-esteem and social interactions. Kristin Medina expressed her shock at the suspension, questioning the school's disciplinary system that escalates minor actions to suspension. The family noted that while John has had some physical incidents, many disciplinary actions were related to behaviors they consider typical for children. They emphasized that discussions about weapons are not part of their home environment, and John's autism makes it challenging for him to navigate social norms.
The parents advocate for a more educational approach to discipline, suggesting that teaching moments would be more beneficial than suspensions. Initially, the school did not provide John with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), citing his academic advancement, but after a year and a half and additional evaluations, the IEP was approved. The family has seen some improvement in the school's approach to discipline since hiring a special education advocate. John is now on a behavioral plan that includes support during unstructured times at school. The Fayette County Public Schools district has encouraged a review of John's complete disciplinary history for context.