School Resource Officer Kneels Down To Comfort Child On Autism Spectrum On The First Day Of School

Aug 15, 2019 by apost team

As the end of summer approaches, kids everywhere are preparing for school to once again be back in session. While many children take the end of summer in stride, others are more wary of returning to school. Many students, particularly those with conditions like autism, see their new environment as fraught with anxiety and insurmountable challenges.

Teachers, faculty, and administrators are usually the first to show these children that school is a welcoming place where they can feel safe. A school resource officer in Tennessee recently made headlines when his efforts to show compassion to a young boy with autism was posted on the Hamblen County Department of Education Facebook page.

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Earlier this month, 11-year-old Kadin Templin started sixth grade at West View Middle School, Tennessee. Kadin has autism and his mother Christina Swartz said on Facebook that he "gets overwhelmed sometimes." So it meant a lot when Officer Ortiz bent over and gave Kadin a big hug to calm him. His mom was so grateful to the officer, saying, "...this seriously makes my heart so much calmer him being there."

Kadin has had a rough time with his health and had to undergo 24 surgeries and is getting ready for a 25th soon. That coupled with a new environment in a new school must be so overwhelming for him and the small act of compassion that Officer Ortiz shared with him was a huge help.

"This makes me so happy to see an officer taking time to be there to a child with special needs" said his mother on 10TV.

When Kadin's mom reached out to give her thanks to the Officer, he is reported by 10TV as saying that he was "so excited and honored to be called [Kadin's] friend."

What do you think of the way Officer Ortiz hugged Kadin on his first day of school? Do you remember a time when a school resource officer came to yours or your children's aid? Let us know about it.