Assemblyman Santabarbara Outraged by Treatment of 10-Year Old Student with Autism

Shocking video shows 10-year-old student with autism grabbed by the neck, pinned to the ground, handcuffed by school resource officer

Following a complaint from a teacher that a 10 year-old student with autism in a Texas school was being disruptive in class, this video footage shows him being pinned to the ground and handcuffed. He can be heard screaming at the top of his lungs.

His parents are furious, describing it as abuse and torture. They are considering taking legal action saying, "This officer was put there to protect and serve our children, and he abused a disabled little boy."

WATCH BODY CAM VIDEO HERE: https://twitter.com/CBSThisMorning/status/1028977656862334976

"Thinking about my 16 year old son Michael and his struggles living with autism, watching this video brought me to tears," said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, who is Chair of the NY State Assembly's Sub-Committee on Autism Spectrum Disorders. "I’m shocked that anyone would treat a disabled student in this manner,” Santabarbara added. “It scares me to see an officer who should be protecting our children react in such an abusive way,” Santabarbara said. “This is simply unacceptable! More must be done to protect our most vulnerable, not only here in New York but nation-wide.”

Earlier this year, Assemblyman Santabarbara’s bill in the State Assembly to establish an Autism Training Program for police officers and first responders was passed here in New York State. The program will provide the necessary training to for interactions and emergency situations involving individuals with autism spectrum and related disorders (A.223).