Tears of frustration rolled down Rick Bejaran's face as he spoke about the alleged bad treatment his 11-year-old son Ricky is receiving at Raul Garza Elementary School in San Benito.
"(His teacher told me), he was coughing in the library and not covering his mouth, so we asked all the students to get-up and move to another part of the library where they wouldn't be near Ricky.
That didn't sound right to me at all, Bejaran said. Ricky was diagnosed with PDD or Pervasive Developmental Disorder - a form of Autism - when he was 3 years old. He didn't even speak a word until he was 7 years old.
"It was overwhelming to find out, you know, what Autism really was and having to deal with it," his father said.
"But he's a very loving little boy, added his mother Jessica Bejaran. He loves to give hugs, he loves to give kisses, he's always excited." Their son is having trouble adjusting to changes at school. They've repeatedly asked for someone who knows how to handle children with Autism to shadow Ricky throughout the school day, but that's been unsuccessful. Just last week, Ricky had a violent outburst at school.
"He hit his teacher, he scratched her and tore her shirt," said his dad. Rick had to pick-up the boy for the day - that's when he claims he witnessed the teacher further agitating the child.
According to the upset father while in the office, the teacher held her arm out in front of his son and said, "Look Ricky, look what you did to me and you tore my shirt.
Upset and uncomfortable by the teachers alleged actions, the father chose to not say anything. Now that several days have passed, Rickys parents said he is still allegedly being punished for something out of his control, due to his Autism. Unlike other students, the boy must now be picked-up at his classroom, after school.
"We get there and he's just like sitting - he looks sad, his mom said. And what hurts us (is that) he thinks he's done bad and he'll ask us, mom, dad, do you still love me? Of course we do, no matter what he does." This couple argues if their son had the shadow they've been asking for, the outburst may have been prevented. Meanwhile, they add Ricky is regressing due to the isolation.
What we expect from the school district is to work together, you know, as a team, Rick Bejaran said, as he fought back more tears. Help us find other resources out there for him."
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Parents of boy with autism: Outburst led to "insensitive treatment" at school