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| No apple for these teachers. |
Let me wait for that to sink in.
The Harrodsburg, KY school called it a "therapy bag." In the ten years that my four children have been getting sensory therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy, I have never heard of a duffel bag being used as for "therapy." My kids have had to crawl through stretchy fabric tunnels (sometimes called socks). I think there's a stretchy fabric thing that can be closed with Velcro that some therapists use in sensory therapy. But it's not something that closes with a drawstring, as this mom describes. The original news report is here, and it's covered in more detail here.
I am weeping as I type this. No child should be treated this way. No parent should live in fear that her child is unsafe in school. U.S. laws say that all of our children are entitled to a free and appropriate education. At no point is it appropriate to put a child in a damn "to-go" bag after calling a parent to pick him up.
This comes the heels of a September, 2011 story of special education staff at Ohio's Miami Trace School District being audiotaped bullying a special needs student. In November, news broke about special education staff in Katy, TX, shoving vinegar-soaked cotton balls into the mouths of autistic children as "aversive therapy."
As a stay-at-home mom of an autistic five-year-old, believe me, I get that working with special needs children can be frustrating and difficult. I'm sure that many schools are understaffed in all areas, including special education. I know it's a hard job. I know.
But you know what? I'm with Little Dude 21 hours a day, and never once has it occurred to me to put him in a f**king bag. I have never thought to myself, "Hey, maybe I should shove a vinegar-soaked cotton ball in Little Dude's mouth when he misbehaves."
I really don't even know what the hell kind of mind dreams up these punishments. I do know that it's people who should not be working with children, ever.
It's painfully clear that there is something immensely lacking in the standards and training for special education staff in this country. And I have to wonder, in all these cases, why other teachers and staff at those schools didn't step up to the plate and say, "hey, that's not right." Did no school staff see this child in a duffel bag in the hallway?
The most terrifying part of this story is that I don't believe this would ever happen in my son's school. And I bet this boy's parents wouldn't have believed it either, until it happened.
I have a 5 yr old in Pre-K with Asperger's and because of the notes that have been sent home due to "needs to work on his behavior" or other various things that are a part of his Asperger's, I get scared of what is going on when I am not there.
ReplyDeleteI have an almost 2 yr old who is nonverbal and it terrifies me if he is still this way when it's time for school. I fear that the school system here will have no way of properly teaching him. *sigh*
I cry every time I read this.
ReplyDeleteYour last line is the kicker: I bet the mom never thought it could happen. That's what we all go with. Until it does happen. The thought of my little guy...in a bag...irreversible damage
Horrible.
As a mom and a former special educator I find this absolutely horrifying. For almost all of the kids in the special education program in our county the procedure for a child acting out is to remove any other children from the room and have one adult stay with the child until they calm down. For the rare few who have a "Behavior Improvement Plan" that included physical restraint (which was only used when they were a danger to themselves or others) we had to take a special class to be certified in the correct way to restrain a child and we had to take a refresher course every other year to retain that certification.
ReplyDeleteI fired off a note to the school district & got a lame response from the superintendent. I was furious when I read about this the other day. Pretty sure there would've been a mommy-shaped hole in the side of their building had it been my kid.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely believe it could happen. As a former special education teacher in the state of Texas, I saw it happen. The way it works here in Texas is that there has to be one certified teacher in the classroom. I worked with the severely mentally retarded children. Up to 20 in a classroom, and there only had to be one of me. Their “fix” for this was to provide me with three “paraprofessionals”. These were people, mostly women, who had no qualifications at all, other than having a high school diploma or GED. They basically had to breathe. My duties took me out of the classroom frequently to cooperate with regular classroom teachers, participate in ARD meetings, coordinate with other special education teachers, etc. These women were supposed to care for these children. Did they? No. Diapers were never changed. Children were not fed. I reported them frequently. They were written up. They were fired. But the new crop was just as bad every time. I hate it. I hated it so bad I changed careers. I became a journalist. I’m now a stay-at-home mommy/freelance writer/mommy blogger and I like my life a lot better. I sure do think about all of those kids a lot, though. Those poor children.
ReplyDeleteThis just breaks my heart, in a rage-inducing NEED TO SMACK PEOPLE kind of way.
ReplyDeleteThis kind of stuff makes me scared for my autistic son's future. He's almost 5 and goes to a special education 4K class for 2 1/2 hour and I already struggle with leaving him there. I can't imagine what I will be like when he's going for a full day. This is why I insist on being a stay at home mom. I need to focus on what kind of education my children are receiving, especially my son.
ReplyDeleteAs a current special education teacher, I ask you to not place blame on all teachers. Here is a story from my school: A mother of a student with behavior issues asked his teacher to use a variety of "aversive therapy" techniques on her son whenever his behaviors got out of control. She was given these techniques by the private therapist her son sees.
ReplyDeleteI can't express enough how sad that story makes me.
ReplyDeleteI recently went for an intake meeting for my son who suffered a stroke a year ago, to see if he qualifies for special needs preschool. And the only reason we were considering it, is because it'll continue his physical and other therapies he's been receiving.
While at the meeting with all the different therapists, the head teacher came into the meeting. She never once looked at me. She never once spoke. She looked like she'd eaten a lemon. Honestly.
I left the meeting feeling elated that my son might get to continue his therapies but since I keep seeing that teacher and her face. She looked bored/annoyed. Or burnt-out. Or all three.
After everything I've been reading in the news lately, I'm reconsidering him going to the school. We're starting to think he might not need the additional therapy as my husband and I already engage him quite a bit physically, etc.
I have no words. Seriously. How could anyone think this is ok???
ReplyDeleteStories like this scare the crap out of me.
ReplyDeleteIs there still time to make a nomination for the Douche-O-the-Year contest? This is horrifyingly unbelievable. Or maybe it is so horrifying because it is no longer unbeleivable. What is this world coming to?
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention that my sister used to work for a school just a few years ago here in AZ. She worked with Autistic kids. She had no training. No education for the job. Yet they hired her as an assistant.
ReplyDeleteI remember her telling us all the time how the teachers treated the kids. They'd spray them with water and spray them with italian dressing (I'm not kidding). They used the italian dressing because the kids didn't like the smell I guess. That was their punishment. And I'll be honest, some of those kids were out-of-control and in fact dangerous sometimes. However, it almost seemed to me like the teachers got off on spraying the kids. I always wondered if any of that is even legal when she'd tell us about it. But alot of the kids had parents w/drug problems so I guess the teachers figured the kids deserved it or something.
Just makes you wonder who's working with these kids who need trained professionals completely surrounding them. But in fact, my sister was one of the few who actually treated them right so who knows... :(
I never every thought bad things would happen to my own child at school, either. But over the years he has come home with clear handprint bruises on his arms, a broken belt loop from being dragged down the hall to the office, and once with a story that the principal SAT on him in the office and he couldn't breathe. When I brought that one up to a few people, a week later, he was kicked out of that school (fine by me because I didn't want him there anyway). Other teachers don't speak up because they are afraid to lose their jobs or be ostracised by co-workers or bosses. It's seriously not about our children in the school systems. It's only about the ones they can turn into little soldiers, sitting quietly, hands folded, facing front. This semeseter I took an educational psych class at school, just to see how the "other half" learns about special needs and the law. NOT NEARLY ENOUGH. There is not enough information in that class to teach budding teachers how to handle anything: paperwork, other people, much less the actual children.
ReplyDeleteI hate reading these stories - it's just heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteAs a special ed teacher for 11 years and a mom for 10 years, stories like this break my heart. There are many wonderful, loving special educators out there who do amazing things for their students. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of special educators who get hired and administrators keep them because special ed jobs are hard to fill (in the first teaching position I held, I was the first teacher in over 15 years who stayed there for more than two years; most only stayed one). Still, you would think basic human decency and common sense would prevail a little more. I know that kids with special needs can be a challenge to deal with (and I've had the bruises, scratches, and bite marks from students to prove it) but it is NEVER acceptable to destroy the dignity of a child. No matter how difficult their behavior is, they are still the child of parents who love them, and I believe they are children of God who deserve to be treated as such. I wish there were a teaching fairy who could go around and banish teachers who will not do their job appropriately.
ReplyDeleteOne more thought for moms- don't be afraid to ask to come observe or volunteer in your child's class. If the teacher is open to you coming in, chances are she isn't doing anything you wouldn't want to happen to your child. If she won't let you, I would start speaking up. Also, if you see things in the class (i.e. a larger number of students than is appropriate, untrained staff, inadequate equipment) SPEAK UP! I would complain for years than I didn't have what I needed to teach my students well, but I have discovered that, in many cases, the administration doesn't care as much about staff opinions as they do about parent opinions.
ReplyDeleteHomicidal is the only word that could describe me if I found the school doing this to either of my children.
ReplyDeleteTOTALLY OUTRAGEOUS!!!
ReplyDeleteSpeechless.
Sick to my stomach.
Why is this "ok" for a "teacher" to do? If a parent did this the child would be taken because putting your child in a duffle bag as punishment is ABUSE! Its abuse no matter who does it!
ReplyDeleteI would insist the teacher be trapped in a duffel bag in the school hallway for all to see. It's only fair.
ReplyDeleteLets just say I would definitely put those teachers in a duffel bag and beat them with a bat if they EVER did that to mine or saw them doing that to any child. People DISGUST me, this is so sad that people could take their aggressions out on children because they cant defend themselves.
ReplyDeleteThis absolutely breaks my heart as a Mom of a 16 yr old son on the spectrum. If you don't know what you are doing ask questions or if you don't have the patience to do the repetitive work that it takes to help these kids learn then you should find a different line of work.
ReplyDeleteI just pulled my 5 year old out of kindergarten because of the way he was being treated, but it wasn’t nearly that bad! I will never understand how anyone treats a child like that, no matter how frustrating. I’m crying for these poor children who need extra compassion and understanding to get through a difficult day.
ReplyDeleteReading this makes me sick to my stomach. What is wrong with people?!??
ReplyDeleteI don't have a special needs child. I have, however, had special needs students when I was in early education. Others wanted to write them off as problems. I never gave up on them. I saw their inside heart and worked to pull that out of them, and I was successful some of the time. Where are the people who can see inside these kids and know what's in there? I know I'm not unique in that ability!!!!! These kids have amazing hearts - if you give them a chance they give it to you and take a piece of you forever. What better feeling is there than that feeling of having someone's forever love????? I hope people with special needs kids band together and stop the bull shit and protect those without voices - the children. I'm sorry this happened to the child. I want to hug his mom and tell her how sorry I am. I wish I could save them all.....
ReplyDeleteI have a special needs child and I would go ape shit if anything like this occured in my son's school. This is one of those times you burn every effing bridge and don't look back. UN-beliveable!!
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell!!!?!??!! I'm outraged! I have a three year old, so not yet dealing with the schools but I'm going to contact our local school board to find out their policies on special needs children. This is terrible!!!
ReplyDelete@Anonymous 9:50 am
ReplyDeleteAs a trained special education teacher, you tell those parents no. You call an IEP meeting to discuss this issue, and record the meeting. You make sure you have those parents on tape saying they want aversives used on their child. You tell those parents that your school does not use aversive techniques. You do not have to do whatever a parent says. No teacher does. I mean, really. I wish! If that was the case, I'd walk in and say, "Hey, give my child no homework, let him off school two hours early, and while you're at it, let him skip a grade." Please. You know very well the parents cannot dictate what is and isn't done in a child's special education program, especially when it's something controversial or dangerous. The parents are part of a "team," but they do not call the shots.
Did everyone notice why this child was put in a bag? Was he attacking somebody or smashing windows? No. He wasn't doing his work! This is the same reason seclusion/restraint was used against my son in public school, and the very reason he no longer attends that school. Can you imagine a general education teacher doing this to a "typical" child who isn't doing his work? No! Special education teachers and their paraprofessionals go rogue, and then they lie about what they've done. I've seen it some myself, and heard about it plenty. Disgusting.
I have a word for parents of autistic AND non-autistic children: HOMESCHOOLING!
ReplyDeleteI homeschool my 9 year old Aspie. I cried as I read this story, earlier today. I am more and more glad I took my son our of public school.
ReplyDeleteI have a nephew who is on the spectrum who recieved through divine intervention adoptive parents who had skills he needed. He was homeschooled and is brilliant. Without her wonderful and mature and attentive hard work this young man could have been living the worst of lives and instead he will be able to care for himself and earn a living. He has good moral values and has been taught social skills. He knows what he has and he knows his own shortcomings but also knows his strengths. He is two years away from College and is now mainstream in a high quality Christian school. He is an "A" student who has learned to compensate his differences and be part of the world around him. I wish all children could have the chance he has had. I am grateful for the love this couple has for their two adopted sons who are going to be the hope of the future.
ReplyDeleteOutrageous is not a strong enough word. To say I'm appalled is also not adequate. My heart breaks for that parent and all parents of special needs kiddos. I would be willing to bet that these "strategies" wouldn't dare be used in a neurotypical classroom. Hang in there moms and continue your vigilance. Hope everyone has a happy and serene holiday.
ReplyDelete~physicsmom
It is rather hard to believe that this would happen to ANY child, much less a child with special needs. I'm a parent of a child with autism AND a special education teacher. It breaks my heart to see a child mistreated so grossly.
ReplyDeleteMy son is due to start k in aug and I am terrified. I don't believe this would happen at my school but I do see the lack of knowledge and expertise that others have noted and it Scares the life out of me what this leads to. However, my son is entitled to FAPE and I refuse to homeschool when school can be such a positive experience. I am lucky to be a stay at home Mum so I will be using my time to volunteer in the class and wherever I can in the school to keep my eyes on what is going on. Believe me, I will do whatever I have to to protect my children. I will also be involved in the school district and parents group that gives parents an opportunity to provide input to educators. We are the experts on our kids and we need to drive these people out of education. I'd be pressing criminal charges too. I'm so mad, sad, furious, devastated etc etc etc
ReplyDeleteThis kind of stuff happened to me when I was a schoolkid. My autism wasn't diagnosed then, though I did have a diagnosis of PTSD due to some events that happened before I entered school. I got overloaded/triggered and hid under tables, and they'd grab me by my arms and drag me out. It hurt when they yanked on my arms, and I felt so unsafe. I have since read that it's recommended never to grab or physically restrain a traumatized child, meaning even not knowing about my autism they should've known not to do that because of the diagnosis I did have. They also tried to convince me I was stupid when I got math problems right but didn't show my work. When they confiscated my things (little people made out of twist ties) they'd throw them out instead of giving them back after school - which of course meant I refused to give them up after that, and they'd pry them out of my hands.
ReplyDeleteUntil such a time as these sorts of incidences are treated as CRIMINAL behavior - which they bloody well SHOULD be - there's always the possibility that some evil, narrow minded, inappropriately employed ASSHOLE could do something like this.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not - and maybe this makes me a little crazy (and what mom of a special kid doesn't have a little crazy on her, really?) I phone these people and push as far as I can to at least let them know that their reputations are SHIT. Now I know that probably isn't the most helpful thing to do but these people need to know that their actions and misdeeds can have loooooong repercussions. If we can't get then to understand why what they are doing to these kids is so bad, maybe we can hit them where it hurts, in their reputations......
In the meantime, if there is a more appropriate way for those of us willing to take time and action to work toward the permanent cessation of these occurrences, please let us know. Cause, you know, GAME ON bitches..........
Parents, please don't give up on all Special Ed. programs. I don't know if I'm allowed to list where I work (what district), but the teachers there are great. All the classrooms have a number of teacher assistants, and we all get trained in CPI (the Illinois program that teaches you how to properly deal with physical stuff and how to try to avoid it getting to that level in the first place).
ReplyDeleteI can assure you, even with the students who do get physical (they are mostly in our "multi-needs" classroom), none of our teachers or T.A.s ever put anyone in a bag. Or put vinegar-soaked anythings in their mouths. Or sat on them. We have isolated people by removing all the other students (leaving a qualified adult in with them), given out lunch detentions (eating lunch in a classroom with a teacher, not with their friends and classmates), and having the student talk to an administrator. Often we call the parents/guardians and the teacher works with them as a team to try to find the discipline/prevention/therapy that will work with that particular student. Not that we're the be-all and end-all of the Special Ed world, but I am kind of proud of my department.
But in truth, it is easy to fall in love with the students I work with. They are great people. All different, all human, all teenager (it is a high school), and all great. I may not have been trained in special education in school (used to be in publishing), but I've learned from the people I work with how to deal with the students we work with. It's a great job.
So, parents/guardians, don't give up. There are decent schools out there for kids with special needs.