December 15, 2014
(High resolution images available on request)
Special Ed Teacher and Student with Down Syndrome to File Restraining Order on Autistic Student
Carpinteria, California
Debra Hosseini, Carpinteria resident, was outraged yesterday when her son Kevin Hosseini, 19, received a restraining
order from the Sheriff’s Office. The Restraining Order was on behalf of his Special Education teacher
a special education aide, and a student, with down syndrome.
Kevin talks about his restraining order on this video.
Kevin attends the SEALS transition program for young adults with developmental disabilities.
It is a program which teaches life skills under the Special Education Department of Carpinteria Unified School District.
The program is new this year.
Kevin is autistic. People with autism often say whatever comes into their head. They have no filter. It is difficult
for autistic people to lie. They often repeat things seen on television. Kevin has never directly threatened
the teacher or aide. The threat was made indirectly when Kevin experienced a difficult medication change
while at Aurora Vista Del Mar hospital. On the day Kevin went into the hospital his teacher expressed surprise sending
an email saying how well Kevin was doing in the SEALS program that year.
Students with developmental disabilities are protected under federal laws. The School District failed many
federally mandated Safeguards and Procedures when Kevin was released from the hospital. Kevin visited Dr. Robert
Nagy the day after his release. Dr. Nagy expressed pleasure at Kevin’s progress.
Kevin should have been allowed to return to school, but instead was put on “home hospital,” with an aide Eric Gregg.
Eric decided to stand by Kevin when Special Education teacher Cindy Rief another special educator and her aide took out an Emergency
Protection Order. Kevin has been under an E.P.O. for the last week.
In addition, Kevin was banned from walking on the Middle School or High School campus.
Debra has heard from good sources that Mr. Merritt, the Middle School teacher has told his teachers and staff
to call 911 if Kevin goes on the campus.
Kevin can’t walk many of the streets in his home community.
In the last week, Special Education teacher, filed a complaint with Santa Barbara City College, which
suspended Kevin from attending his classes. Kevin and his aide Eric, were told to leave campus on Monday, by
Superintendent Paul Cordeiro.
Kevin had to make special arrangements with Santa Barbara City College to complete his P.E. class and take
his College Success final. Kevin is the only student in the SEALS program to take an academic class.
On Thursday, Kevin was told he could not attend his regular job at Giovanni’s Pizza. Debra had to
call the Sheriff’s office to arrange Kevin to attend his job.
“Kevin is the Rosa Parks of autism,” Debra says.
The Sheriff who served Kevin said, “The Captain will stand behind Kevin in court. This woman is way out of line.”
Debra Hosseini thinks that Cindy Rief has taken advantage of Kevin’s breakdown to avenge a complaint
she made about Cindy Rief 18 months ago.
Debra also complained earlier this year when Kevin wrote this note.
For obvious reasons the Hosseini family doesn’t allow Kevin to play violent video games.
The Hosseini family feels isolated in Carpinteria. Debra feels
that this teacher has turned the entire community against her family and Kevin.
“I’m very disappointed, even people who I thought were Kevin’s friends have turned their back on him and believe
he is dangerous. It seems many people lack compassion.”
Kevin has been doing better than ever. He finished his College Success class with a “B.”
“Mom, how long do I have to stay away from them?” Kevin asks. “Can I talk to them when I’m twenty-five?”
“We haven’t told Kevin very much about this, “Debra says. We don’t want him to feel bad about his disability.
Debra is seeking a residential placement for Kevin in a different community. Her flurry of emails to the School Board,
Principals, Superintendent, school psychologist, and Special Education Director have mostly gone unanswered.
“I know they are instructed to do this by their attorneys,” Debra says. “When you close down communication with
parents it makes it a battle instead of cooperation. This wastes so much time, energy, and money.”
“I want Kevin to reside in a loving, compassionate community which embraces differences,” Debra says.
Debra is contemplating moving out of Carpinteria herself. “I never knew so many people hated us,” she said.
In the meantime, Kevin and his aide Eric, work on life skills two hours a day at a mobile park recreation room.
“I’m disappointed that they didn’t give him the same hours as the other students because his dad and I have
had to rearrange our schedule so someone is with Kevin the rest of the day.”
Debra says, “I don’t know why these teachers are so afraid. Kevin never even talks about these teachers.”
Kevin has an appointment on Tuesday to talk to the Dean of Students at City College about his “bad behavior.”
Debra has a solution for the School District’s dilemma about her son.
Instead of spending money on expensive attorneys defending the lawsuit against the School District and The Teacher’s Union,
spend the money on the best autism program in the country.
“This would take a radical change in School District culture,” Debra says.
“I know there are many compassionate teachers in the School District, but there are many teachers who frankly
shouldn’t be teaching. They are all defended by the Carpinteria School Teacher’s Union. They allowed this to happen to
my son.”
Debra would like to see the School District focus on good programming for students instead of fighting parents, especially parents
of students like Kevin.
“From the time Kevin entered this School District, it has been a fight. It was a fight to get him included in Kindergarten, it
was a fight to get the teachers and aides trained about autism. The constant struggles our family has had with this School District is beyond what
any parent should have to endure.”
Debra quit her job when Kevin was in second grade to help Kevin and people like him.
Inclusion of children like Kevin, brings compassion to our children. Kevin’s entire Senior class gave him a standing ovation when
he graduated last June.
The Warrior is Carpinteria’s mascot.
The true meaning of a warrior is compassion.
Debra has set up a facebook page for Kevin
Kevin is a talented artist who has art on display at the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. Kevin’s website
Debra is founder of The Art of Autism
www.the-art-of-autism.com a collaborative of over 300 artists, poets, entertainers, and authors on the autism spectrum. The Art of Autism focuses on the gifts of people on the autism spectrum and has exhibits and presentations throughout the United States and Canada.
