December 3, 2004
Autistic student can return to ACCC - with conditions
By DIANE D’AMICO Education Writer, (609) 272-7241, E-Mail
MAYS LANDING - Autistic college student Corey San Chirico probably won’t be going back to Atlantic Cape Community College soon.
College officials have notified him that he can return, but only under conditions that his mother said will be very difficult to meet.
San Chirico, 19, was suspended from the college in mid-October after a verbal outburst in class during which he jabbed himself with a pencil. San Chirico was charged with threatening a professor under the college’s zero-tolerance policy.
An appeal hearing was held last month, at which San Chirico read a letter explaining that his behaviors are part of his autism.
In a response sent to San Chirico, ACCC Dean of Students Carmen Royal said the college must ensure the safety of everyone on campus.
The letter said San Chirico could return, but first would have to provide a letter from a doctor or therapist certifying that he is not a danger to himself or others. He also must be accompanied by a trained aide with at least six months’ experience working with autistic students. College officials must meet with and approve the aide at least two weeks before San Chirico’s return.
Camille San Chirico said she does not know how she is going to find - or pay for - a trained aide. A family friend had been attending classes with her son, but college officials said the friend was not acceptable.
“They’re making it almost impossible,” Camille San Chirico said. “It seems clear to me that they don’t want him back.”
She said her son, a 2004 graduate of Oakcrest High School, has never been a danger to anyone, and has become more withdrawn since he was suspended. San Chirico has artistic talent, and his mother said she may try to sign him up for some type of private art classes.
San Chirico will be allowed to complete his courses for the semester, but his mother said he has not received all his work, and it will be very difficult for him to complete it on his own.
She said she is meeting with a special-education consultant and an attorney to review their options.
“Right now I’m just going to leave it in the lawyer’s hands to see what we can do,” she said.
College officials said they could not comment on San Chirico’s case.
“While we are prevented by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act from commenting on the specifics of this matter, we remain sensitive and dedicated to meeting the needs of our diverse student body,” Royal said in a statement sent to The Press. “ACCC is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for the entire college community
If this community college receives any Federal funding for any reason, it is up to them to comply with the ADA (autism is indeed considered a disability). While the burden of support is less than that which the Public ASchools must offer, there are still guidelines to be followed (my college found out the hard way when a girl with profound CP and also profound intelligence was originally denied the ability to take several classes because of lack of elevators in certain areas - the teachers were required to use rooms she could access if she signed up for their classes as well as a couple of other accomodations as well).
Mom needs to find an advocate who is versed in adult issues and be ready to file a Civil Rights complaint against the college and administrators. If this student was not a threat to himself or others during high school, they need to see why he was triggered to outburst in college using an FBA. Therein lies te key to avoiding repeat occurances. Not that having an aid is a bad idea, but avoidance beats the stuffing out of containment when working with people on Spectrum.