WASHINGTON D.C., DC — A mother in Northeast D.C. has taken to social media to post a video that appears to show four students attacking her son with autism and attention deficit\hyperactivity disorder inside of Washington Leadership Academy.
Yolanda Corbett says she got her hands on the nearly 13-second video after it was shared among the students at her son's school. She has asked that we only refer to the high school senior using his first name, Tyler.
"It was the viciousness behind it, right? Like then you start processing like what could he have said that would have you directly kick him in the head or hit him with a skateboard," Corbett told WUSA9.
Corbett says Tyler called her and told her about the incident, but it was when she saw the video that she realized the gravity of the attack. She says what was even more heartbreaking than seeing her son being repeatedly punched and kicked, was his response following the incident, "I probably did something that caused that, and we are like, no son."
Tyler told his mother that he was walking to class, between periods, when he picked up on the smell of potatoes. Corbett says her son walked up to the group of students and said, "It smells like potatoes in here. He said that he was then addressed by one of the students that eventually attacked him."
Corbett says the students used slurs referring to her son's neurodivergence. She admits that Tyler is blunt when he speaks and does not pick up on social cues because of his condition. "I've never had an instance with Tyler where he has been physically violent," she added.
The video only captures when Tyler is face down on the ground, but his mother says that before that, "He was punched in the face. He was hit in the head with a chair."
Tyler told his mother he tried to defend himself but he was pulled by his jacket. "They ended up tussling to the point that they fell down the stairwell, and that's where the video picks up," Corbett said.
In a statement, the school's Executive Director Stacy Kane told WUSA9:
"We are very disappointed in the violent incident that occurred on campus on Wednesday and are pursuing the strongest consequences allowable to hold those students accountable. We also sent out a notice to our student body reminding them of our mission and the consequences of unsafe or violent behaviors."
Corbett says that the actions taken against her son should be punishable. She considers community service focused on helping students who are neurodivergent, an appropriate punishment for the boys seen in the video.
Corbett says Tyler is an advocate for students with autism. However, because laws prohibit schools disclose details about his condition, she believes his peers might not be aware. The single mother says the violent incident is a prime example that the community at Washington Leadership Academy might not be aware of how his autism and ADHD reflect in Tyler's behavior.
"The power of this moment is having, is letting people know it's not right, and that we do have children that need extra care, and grace, and protection," she said.
Despite the attack, Tyler wants to return to school. His mother says the teenager misses his routine and socializing with the few friends he has.
Corbett says she does not believe the school to be dangerous, but she is scared for her family's safety. She told WUSA9 that they have agreed to have a meeting with activist groups to address the safety of students like Tyler.
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