Prosecutors in Fort Smith, Arkansas are continuing to pursue felony assault charges against an 11-year-old child who was arrested last October after an autism-behavior-related physical confrontation with teachers at Beard Elementary School.

Restraint is Response to Autism Behavior
Zakhqurey Price allegedly lashed out at educators while they were attempting to apply the school's restraint techniques to him after he had an emotional breakdown during class.

According to Zakhqurey's grandmother, Carole Reynolds, the injuries suffered by the teachers were minimal and required no hospitalization.

Autism Put Boy in Mental Hospital
Reynolds said that her grandson has had a tumultuous experience in the Arkansas social service system.  Zakhqurey previously spent three years in a mental hospital where his grandmother said he suffered from "severe regression."

She is afraid that Zakhqurey, who she said has an I.Q. of 68, will be sent to a juvenile detention facility if convicted of the charges.  His next court date is scheduled for mid-April.

Disability Advocates React
The incident has drawn national attention from disability advocates because of the severity of the charges and the young age of the autistic child.  The issue of restraint in public schools has garnered significantly more attention recently as Congress is in the midst of considering legislation severely regulating the use of restraint and seclusion in public schools. 

Restraint is frequently used by educators to subdue disruptive autism behavior, despite the fact that most disability advocates believe it has primarily negative effects.

No Plea Bargain for Autistic Boy
Reynolds said that despite winning a due process hearing in January, Zakhqurey has not been offered any plea-bargain deals from prosecutors.  She believes that her efforts to publicize Zakhqurey's case have angered local officials, but thinks that increased media attention is the best advocate her grandson has.

"If I can't get someone to report this, they are going to put him away in April," she said.