Expert: Ettina - 3/1/2010

Question
my autistic/asperger's highly functioning honor roll student of 14 was found to be carrying a pen and ink pen hollowed out with a sharp object incerted as protection, he told us he doesnt feel safe and that he had been threatened by older kids at the beginning of school. the school is trying to say that his disability is not directly linked or a manifestation of the actions, i need more input as well as his mosaic monosomy 21.

Answer
To me, it sounds like your son is being victimized at school. His disability is probably not directly related to his carrying a weapon, although the threats against him may be related to discrimination based on disability. He may also have overlooked viable alternative ways of coping, although autistic kids are more likely to tell on other kids and attempt to follow what the adults tell them to do even when it's unsuccessful.
In arguing this with the school, you should focus on why your son felt that he was in so much danger. Basically, from his perspective, this constitutes self-defense. The fact that he felt the need for self-defense reflects a failure on the part of the teachers, who should have better addressed the issue of students being threatened by other students. You should probably talk to a lawyer, it sounds like this situation may require legal action.

Regarding mosaic monosomy 21, I'm not quite clear on what you're asking. Are you wondering what are typical features of this condition? If so, since this condition is quite rare, there is not much information available. However, most individuals have some degree of cognitive disability, and physical anomalies are common. In particular, a number of children have hand and foot anomalies, slanted eyes, cleft palate, and/or (in boys) genital or urinary anomalies.