Autistic student wants to go back to school after being suspended 4 months ago

FREDERICTON – A Fredericton mother believes her autistic son’s human rights are being violated. Tiffany Boudreau says her 11-year-old son has been kept out of school for the past four months because the school hasn’t come up with a way to accommodate his special needs.

“Just because I have a mental illness and that’s the reason why they don’t want me,” Xander said.

Xander is autistic and also suffers from oppositional defiance disorder. His mom says he is emotionally delicate, and prone to aggressive outbursts if he’s upset or over-stimulated.

“He had a physical outburst and ended up hitting a teacher in front of his class,” she said.

Which she says led to Xander suspended from Priestman Street School last November. It’s been four months, and he’s still not back.

Boudreau says she’s trying to work with the school and the district to get Xander back in the classroom, even if it’s only a few hours a day.

“Excuse the expression, but they are dragging their butts on it,” she said.

Global News contacted the Principal at Priestman Street School to ask about Xander’s case, and she said she couldn’t speak to the media.

Catherine Blaney, Director of Education Support Services at Anglophone West School District, would not comment on Xander’s case for privacy reasons, but said this in an email:

“When a parent is unsatisfied with the process, I would encourage the parent to speak with the principal to problem solve and attempt to find a solution.  If on speaking with the principal the parent is not satisfied with the outcome, his/her next step would be to contact the Education Support Service Coordinator at the appropriate Education Center.”

If no resolution is found she says a concerned parent can contact her directly.

“I have done all that I have and I am still not getting anywhere,” said Boudreau.

Now she plans to file a formal complaint with the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission. Under the guidelines on “Accommodating Students with a Disability”, the document clearly states students with special needs must be accommodated in a timely manner.

Boudreau says it just isn’t happening.