<p>^ ^</p>
<p>As an experienced educator at a higher ed institution, Prof. Snyder should have known better than to word her email even “suggesting” to him that he shouldn’t speak during class…especially if it was directed to someone with a disability that already tends to discourage most from participating in class along with other non-disabled students. </p>
<p>If I was in his shoes at his age, I’d definitely interpret her behavior as attempts to suppress my ability to fully participate in her class even if I didn’t have his disability. Heck, I’d still feel the same way if it happened to me today as a thirty-something. </p>
<p>Also, the fact he’s 16 may have predisposed him to interpret suggestions as “orders” from the Prof…especially when he’s encountered many jerks in other areas of his life who gave him similar grief on account of his disability. Even her own words lead me to believe she was oblivious at best and more likely…there was a subtext of her wanting to just “shut him up” to avoid the inconvenience of having to accommodate his disability. </p>
<p>Either way…she’s not really helping her case considering how many viable alternatives have been employed every day by educators in similar/worse classroom situations than hers.</p>