Autistic line of demarcation.

There was a story published recently about a mother in California, her son and the school he attended. The son, David Swanson, is twenty one years old. He is autistic, mute and diabetic. He was discriminated against and force fed at school. David is able to communicate with the use of an I pad, but he was forced to leave it outside the classroom because teachers feared he may be using it to record what went on in the classroom. David has a private nurse that accompanies him to class that has acted as a witness to the bullying and cruel treatments he was subjected to. The school, upon facing further litigation, offered $86,000 dollars to David's mother to put him in a private school where his needs would be better identified with. She declined the offer.  She is still suing the school, but wants David to attend said school because federal law says he is entitled to an education. This is a fascinating story because it is easy to debate both sides. Public schools are required to provide an education to any student with a disability until they are of age. In this case "of age" is through the twenty first year of life. David's mother is within her rights to expect that they( the school district) do just this. Her stance will undoubtedly help pave the way for children facing similar problems. But I can't help but wonder what her "Rosa Park's" moment will cost her son. If this is a law, then teachers and especially schools, should be aware and prepared to deal with any special need that is out there. The bullying by classmates and teachers alike, is unacceptable. I don't think that we are creating children to be more accepting by having autistic or other special needs in their classrooms. Tolerance is something that should be taught at home, long before it can be taught at school. And in the cases that it isn't, and one child bullies another ( disability, present or not) the bully should be dealt with swiftly. I would that a similar stance be taken as that of the military, America does not negotiate with terrorists. Our children are this country's greatest resource, not oil or gold or any other item usually associated with money. Teachers should be able to explain whatever disability they are working with to the other children of the class, but if the empathy of the other students isn't already there to work with, I doubt the teacher will be able to evoke it. And at who's expense?