BBC
Quote:
An autistic teenager beaten unconscious on the way home by fellow students has been let down, his parents say.
Jeremiah, 15, who is currently learning at home, required hospital treatment after the attack in Elephant and Castle, south London, on 11 May.
Police investigating the assault have made no arrests. Westminster City School says "robust sanctions have been taken including permanent exclusions".
Jeremiah said he had been targeted by bullies for more than a year before the attack, including on the bus after school.
He said: "I was feeling depressed, I couldn't really laugh, I couldn't smile at the things I used to. I couldn't enjoy stuff easily, I couldn't socialise with anyone any more.
“It was stressful. My grades went down. I didn't want to study any more. I just wanted to be alone."
His parents Isa and Julian say Jeremiah initially returned to school part time, but was punched in a class where a computer mouse was thrown at him.
They have decided to keep him at home for the start of this term after the removal of the provision of a taxi, which was how he got to and from school for the final month of the summer term.
They are appealing to Southwark Council to cover the cost of the taxi, which was previously met by the comprehensive school.
Julian criticised the school's response, adding: "We haven't even received an apology."
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Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity
It is Autism Acceptance Month
“My autism is not a superpower. It also isn’t some kind of god-forsaken, endless fountain of suffering inflicted on my family. It’s just part of who I am as a person”. - Sara Luterman
10 Sep 2021, 6:30 am
