Regarding Endrew F.: The Biopolitics of Autism and Education

• In Event: Hilton Roundtable Session 15
  In Roundtable Session: Special Ed: The Law and The Numbers

Abstract

We consider the 2017 Supreme Court decision Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District in light of Giorgio Agamben’s theories of ’states of exception’ and ’bare life.’ This case concerned the provision of a FAPE to an autistic boy, and was was hailed as ’a victory for children with disabilities.’ We take a critical stance this decision instead perpetuates an historical contradiction between how the law and the schools understand autism, and their desires with respect to educating autistic children. Autistic children, whose education constitutes a perpetual state of emergency, are placed in an acutely vulnerable position, both ’under the protection’ and ’at the mercy’ of school authorities who act outside the law with the force of law.

Authors

• William New, Beloit College

• Kiri Youngquist, Beloit College