Well, my viewpoint may be different because I'm a homeschool parent, so I see the entire public school system as government-sponsored daycare for the benefit of parents.
However, I agree that a disruptive child should not be in a class with children who aren't disruptive. He should be in a separate program. It's the criminal charges against a six year old autistic child that are over-the-top.
I’ve been out of school for a long, long time, but I still remember the disruption caused by these “developmentally challenged” children.
I've been out of school a long, long, long time, too. (Ahem. Feels like three lifetimes ago.) But I remember many of the so-called normal kids being far more disruptive than the developmentally challenged kids, with the so-called normal kids pushing the developmentally challenged kids around. Every kid is different.
In any case, the teacher should be demanding this child be put into a separate program. The school should be telling the parents that their child cannot be in a class with other children and that he must be moved to a different program. I can see filing charges against an older child, but not a six year old. Imagine this six year old autistic boy having to take the witness stand to defend his own actions. I just find it to be silly to take it that far.
Update: 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25:
Nathan Darnell's family has confirmed to FOX19 that charges in this case have been dropped.
Charges Dropped
Also, more info on the boy, and his parents, here.
Bracken Parents Say System is To Blame
Looks like there is some Oppositional Defiant Disorder as well. Note comments below article.