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Parents Angry After School Put Autistic Son in Bag

Aunt Spiker

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http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/12/parents-angry-after-school-put-autistic-son-in-bag/

“God, they do not have my son in that bag …”


That’s what Sandra Baker, of Harrodsburg, Ky., said she thought when she walked down a hall toward a big green bag, with a teacher’s aide sitting beside it, at her son’s school, on Dec. 14.


“Mama, is that you?” a voice coming from the bag said.


Christopher Baker, 9, is autistic and has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Sometimes his school calls Baker, 35, to come to the school to help calm him down, she said.


“They said he was ‘bouncing off the walls,’” Baker said, describing the call she got — relayed by her mother — on Dec. 14.


The bag was not mesh; it was opaque cloth, with a drawstring, which was pulled tight, Baker said. Christopher could not see out, she said, adding that he asked “Who’s out there?” before asking, “Mama, is that you?”


“You need to get him out of that bag, now,” Baker said she told the aide, who struggled to open the bag, according to Baker. “That startled me: What if he aspirated on food, or a fire broke out?” she said.


They had not been contacted by Mercer County Schools Interim Superintendent Dennis Davis. In a statement, Davis said he couldn’t comment because of confidentiality laws. “The employees of the Mercer County Public Schools are qualified professionals who treat students with respect and dignity while providing a safe and nurturing learning environment,” Davis said in the statement.

Bags are used to calm and control special-needs children, the Bakers said, but they are elastic and allow the child to stand, move around and get out if they need to. “This was like a gym bag,” Sandra Baker said.

My oldest son is mildly autistic - when he was younger we had a lot of issues with the school he attended. As he grew older some of his issues sort of faded - he learned about to be in more control of his self, etc. . . making it easier to teach him and he distrupted the class less.

However frustrating it might have been for the teachers - they did NOT treat him like ****.

If I had come to school at some point and FOUND him in a ****ing bag in a hallway - I'd likely lose my temper. I've been on edge of losing it several times with teachers concerning just how they talked about him . . . I don't think I would have maintained control if they violated his rights, physical self and dignity. I would have beat the **** out of them.

This story INFURIATES me - and more so: the school DEFENDED their actions by saying "bags are used to control . . . they're a gym bag that they can get out of" **** YOU YOU **** - let me stick you in a bag and leave you there and see how you like it you disgusting pigs.

More so: the mother heard that they 'used bags to handle them' and just didn't know 'how' they used the bag - that's bizarre. . .obviously you can NEVER EVER assume that they're doing what you THINK they're doing. You must ask question and lots of them!

I think this is exactly WHY the dissolve of special-needs-only classrooms was horrible. . . regular teachers have 20+ kids and special needs children require extra attention that the average teacher can't provide, doesn't have instruction in . . . I think it sets everyone up for a poor and failing school experience.

As special needs children grew THEN they should be in a regular classroom more IF they can control their selves on their own and with less interaction from the teacher.

I found that my son being shuffled to and from classroom 4 times a day was more disruptive than anything else - and this was so he could have individualized instruction time. At least years ago they would have a small classroom for one-on-one cognitive (etc) related activity to strengthen their skills in school but now they just stick tehse special needs kids who have attention deficit and physical issues in the hallway - with countless others shuffling past all the time (yeah, they're going to focus and learn then) :roll:

Schools are failing miserably to keep up with the growing number of students who have issues.
 
How could this story not infuriate anyone?
 
Yes - how could it not? I would flip out if my non-autistic children were treated that way, too.

I think they respond to special-needs children so horrendously because there's a disconnect: they don't 'act' normal so it won't 'affect' them like it would a normal child. But do that to a 'normal' child - and get away with it? A 'normal' child after being stuck in a bag for hours would most likely immediately GO HOME AND TELL MOM AND DAD. Even if they wouldn't there'd be that impending fear in someone's mine that *that very day* theyd' be found out and fired - They're taking abusive advantage of a child's inability to remember or communicate.

It's disgusting - shows how much humanity fails.
 
My middle step kid has mild wig outs at school.

I'm purdy sure that if they did this to him, that it would be a race between my wife and I to see who went to jail first, for kicking the crap out of a few teachers and one principle.
 
Parents Angry After School Put Autistic Son in Bag - ABC News



My oldest son is mildly autistic - when he was younger we had a lot of issues with the school he attended. As he grew older some of his issues sort of faded - he learned about to be in more control of his self, etc. . . making it easier to teach him and he distrupted the class less.

However frustrating it might have been for the teachers - they did NOT treat him like ****.

If I had come to school at some point and FOUND him in a ****ing bag in a hallway - I'd likely lose my temper. I've been on edge of losing it several times with teachers concerning just how they talked about him . . . I don't think I would have maintained control if they violated his rights, physical self and dignity. I would have beat the **** out of them.

This story INFURIATES me - and more so: the school DEFENDED their actions by saying "bags are used to control . . . they're a gym bag that they can get out of" **** YOU YOU **** - let me stick you in a bag and leave you there and see how you like it you disgusting pigs.

More so: the mother heard that they 'used bags to handle them' and just didn't know 'how' they used the bag - that's bizarre. . .obviously you can NEVER EVER assume that they're doing what you THINK they're doing. You must ask question and lots of them!

I think this is exactly WHY the dissolve of special-needs-only classrooms was horrible. . . regular teachers have 20+ kids and special needs children require extra attention that the average teacher can't provide, doesn't have instruction in . . . I think it sets everyone up for a poor and failing school experience.

As special needs children grew THEN they should be in a regular classroom more IF they can control their selves on their own and with less interaction from the teacher.

I found that my son being shuffled to and from classroom 4 times a day was more disruptive than anything else - and this was so he could have individualized instruction time. At least years ago they would have a small classroom for one-on-one cognitive (etc) related activity to strengthen their skills in school but now they just stick tehse special needs kids who have attention deficit and physical issues in the hallway - with countless others shuffling past all the time (yeah, they're going to focus and learn then) :roll:

Schools are failing miserably to keep up with the growing number of students who have issues.

One of my kids has aspergers and my wife is a special ed teacher who routinely deals with autistic children and one thing should be known to all.

Often autistic children have sensory issues and can easily become over or understimulated (each kid is unique in this area). Putting children in a bag is actually a form of therapy.

So lets not rush to judgement about this.

However, if the school did something like this without the parents knowledge and consent, this is against federal regulations and the IEP process. So its a huge no-no and that teacher's certification should be looked at very closely.
 
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There are so many things wrong with this that is difficult to know where to start.

The kid is 9. From the photo he doesn't look like a future linebacker with a black belt. I'm 73 and not particularly athletic, yet I have no doubt I could handle him. If I felt I could not, I would have gotten some help. The statement that the aide bagged him at the request of the teacher tends to indicate that there was no immediate danger calling for drastic action. Reportedly they had a room set up in the school for just this situation.

Apparently the teacher, the aide, or the administration sees nothing wrong with this action. Makes me wonder how often it happens The aide was sent alone into the hall with the boy and was waiting for the mother to show up. I would not have sat in that hall with a bagged child and waited for the mother.

"The employees of the Mercer County Public Schools are qualified professionals who treat students with respect and dignity while providing a safe and nurturing learning environment,” Davis said in the statement."

Really? Does this even require comment?
.,
I realize that this is only one side of the story, but the words of the administration do not seem to dispute the story.
 
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One of my kids has aspergers and my wife is a special ed teacher who routinely deals with autistic children and one thing should be known to all.

Yes - us parents know it can be difficult, exhausting and trying. But there is a line and I feel this crossed that line.

Often autistic children have sensory issues and can easily become over or understimulated (each kid is unique in this area). Putting children in a bag is actually a form of therapy.

So lets not rush to judgement about this.

However, if the school did something like this without the parents knowledge and consent, this is against federal regulations and the IEP process. So its a huge no-no and that teacher's certification should be looked at very closely.

You know what: if a PARENT shoved their kid in a bag because they couldn't handle them I'd call CPS and consider it abuse and neglect. There's no excusing this approach ot teaching or parenting. If a PET was

There are so many things wrong with this that is difficult to know where to start.

The kid is 9. From the photo he doesn't look like a future linebacker with a black belt. I'm 73 and not particularly athletic, yet I have no doubt I could handle him. If I felt I could not, I would have gotten some help. The statement that the aide bagged him at the request of the teacher tends to indicate that there was no immediate danger calling for drastic action. Reportedly they had a room set up in the school for just this situation.

yes - and they do it often .. . I doubt he was a threat that couldn't be handled in another way.
What happens when 'normal' children act out physically? Do they get bagged? I don't think this is *for* the the child but it's *for* the teachers - out of sight, out of mind.

Apparently the teacher, the aide, or the administration sees nothing wrong with this action. Makes me wonder how often it happens The aide was sent alone into the hall with the boy and was waiting for the mother to show up. I would not have sat in that hall with a bagged child and waited for the mother.

Oh absolutely - someone could have done the RIGHT thing.

"The employees of the Mercer County Public Schools are qualified professionals who treat students with respect and dignity while providing a safe and nurturing learning environment,” Davis said in the statement."

Really? Does this even require comment?
.,
I realize that this is only one side of the story, but the words of the administration do not seem to dispute the story.

They indeed don't. IN fact: he defends it and says they do this all the time. This is 'normal' - "Stick the squeeling piglet in a bag and don't let him out"

It's sick.

Why don't they stick crazed prisoners in bags? it's THAT inhumane.
 
From the article it would appear that the parent understands the benefits of putting a kid in a bag. Her problem is with the kind of bag that is used. I'm maybe jumping to conclusions here but it seems that many would get upset by reading that a kid was placed in a bag, but I think I need far more information here before making a judgement.
 
**** them.
It's disgusting how it's a growing trend in current society for how people with special needs and more care are often more neglected than most normal people.
The worse thing is that the school actually justified its disgusting action. Shame on them
 
I'm not sure what to think. On the surface I'm inclined to freak out and want someone's head.

OTOH... I recall a documentary I watched once on autism. There was an autistic adult, semi-functional. In her home she had a device of her own design that is hard to describe... it looked like a largeish exercise machine with lots of heavily padded arms. When she felt overwhelmed or like she was going to lose control, she'd get in the machine and pull the levers, and the padded arms would close around her, kind of squeezing her slightly. She could get out on her own by pulling the lever anytime, but she said that being squeezed lightly and feeling as if she could not move somehow had a strong calming effect on her and helped her keep it together.

:shrug:

Seems to me that this is something they should have discussed with the parents in more detail, before it became an issue. Also, I understand that autism is a spectrum disorder and not all autistic persons respond in the same manner to various treatments like sensory deprivation or movement deprivation.

If I'd never heard of "bagging" an autistic person before and came upon that scene, I'd of freaked out and likely done someone some harm. Communication issues here at the least...
 
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/12/parents-angry-after-school-put-autistic-son-in-bag/



My oldest son is mildly autistic - when he was younger we had a lot of issues with the school he attended. As he grew older some of his issues sort of faded - he learned about to be in more control of his self, etc. . . making it easier to teach him and he distrupted the class less.

However frustrating it might have been for the teachers - they did NOT treat him like ****.

If I had come to school at some point and FOUND him in a ****ing bag in a hallway - I'd likely lose my temper. I've been on edge of losing it several times with teachers concerning just how they talked about him . . . I don't think I would have maintained control if they violated his rights, physical self and dignity. I would have beat the **** out of them.

This story INFURIATES me - and more so: the school DEFENDED their actions by saying "bags are used to control . . . they're a gym bag that they can get out of" **** YOU YOU **** - let me stick you in a bag and leave you there and see how you like it you disgusting pigs.

More so: the mother heard that they 'used bags to handle them' and just didn't know 'how' they used the bag - that's bizarre. . .obviously you can NEVER EVER assume that they're doing what you THINK they're doing. You must ask question and lots of them!

I think this is exactly WHY the dissolve of special-needs-only classrooms was horrible. . . regular teachers have 20+ kids and special needs children require extra attention that the average teacher can't provide, doesn't have instruction in . . . I think it sets everyone up for a poor and failing school experience.

As special needs children grew THEN they should be in a regular classroom more IF they can control their selves on their own and with less interaction from the teacher.

I found that my son being shuffled to and from classroom 4 times a day was more disruptive than anything else - and this was so he could have individualized instruction time. At least years ago they would have a small classroom for one-on-one cognitive (etc) related activity to strengthen their skills in school but now they just stick tehse special needs kids who have attention deficit and physical issues in the hallway - with countless others shuffling past all the time (yeah, they're going to focus and learn then) :roll:

Schools are failing miserably to keep up with the growing number of students who have issues.


yeah those teachers should be fired. That is not cool.
 
There are a few issues here - the first of which the school will have to deal with in the form of a lawsuit which I'm sure is being planned or maybe already pending.

Second, there's the issue schools forcing parents who have children with aspergers, autism, ADD, or other such overly diagnosed conditions to drug their children in order to control them because the teachers are either ill equipped or unable to focus some of these children. It's just as bad as the bags though so much more common.

Third, as part of the lawsuit but hopefully sooner, the policy of the school should be overturned (like right now) that puts ANYONE in ANY type of bag as a way to calm them. I would suggest putting the Principle and this teacher in a bag as the last act before removing the bag treatment, and they should be put in the hallway so everyone can see them as they go to the class as partial restitution to this family and any other family who have had their child put into a bag. Lets see how the principle and this teacher feel after being let out, so they can have a better understanding of the moronic and ill advised practice they forced these children to endure.

Fire the teacher? Sure... but after they are put in the bag for an hour or two.

Oh and fire the administration too... they seem to be in full support of this stupidity.
 
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"
Lycra Spacial Socks are fun, therapeutic sacks constructed from four-way stretch Lycra® and has a velcro to keep the sack closed."

You know - I let my kids PLAY in cardboard boxes for fun - but I wouldn't FORCE them to go into a box as a punishment and make them stay there. How would it be if this child was taped up in a cardboard box and couldn't get out?

The 'body sack' link there is not what this child was in - that appears to be a fun and safe (when monitored and enabled properly) velcroe child safe product made to move around in and have fun in. I'm sure if it was a theraputic and appropriate product the school was using they would have defended it as such.

He was tied up in it, couldn't get out as punishment for his behavior, couldn't see out, and even the attendant couldn't get it untied. Is that child-safe? AS the mother questioned: what if there was a fire? He was being treated like trash in a trash bag.

I'm disturbed that people are trying to excuse these actions by drawing a connection between this situation and what other kids do in performing arts for fun. . . .Can you (and others) not see the DIFFERENCE between this situation with this school and what htey did as punishment as opposed to play? Can you not differentiate play for a BAD situation at all? Just WOW
 
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I agree that we don't have enough to know whether this specific incident was out of bounds with regard to these various forms of bag restraint or therapy.

However, a broader question to me is to what extent is a public school required to go to in order to handle children with issues that may require physical restraint ? Is it small padded closets ? Arm and leg restraints ? Being sat on ?

I agree that they need to have a policy in place, available for review, and that no parent should be surprised unless they failed to inform themselves.
 
"
Lycra Spacial Socks are fun, therapeutic sacks constructed from four-way stretch Lycra® and has a velcro to keep the sack closed."

You know - I let my kids PLAY in cardboard boxes for fun - but I wouldn't FORCE them to go into a box as a punishment and make them stay there. How would it be if this child was taped up in a cardboard box and couldn't get out?

The 'body sack' link there is not what this child was in - that appears to be a fun and safe (when monitored and enabled properly) velcroe child safe product made to move around in and have fun in. I'm sure if it was a theraputic and appropriate product the school was using they would have defended it as such.

I have absolutely no expertise here and while the picture and site does portray them as "fun" I do not think that is the theaputic use for them. It's to deprive a kid of outside stimulus. So it seems to me.

He was tied up in it, couldn't get out as punishment for his behavior, couldn't see out, and even the attendant couldn't get it untied. Is that child-safe? AS the mother questioned: what if there was a fire? He was being treated like trash in a trash bag.

I'm disturbed that people are trying to excuse these actions by drawing a connection between this situation and what other kids do in performing arts for fun. . . .Can you (and others) not see the DIFFERENCE between this situation with this school and what htey did as punishment as opposed to play? Can you not differentiate play for a BAD situation at all? Just WOW

Would you like to discuss this honestly? Do you understand the point I was trying to make? These bags while perhaps as a secondary or maybe even main use might be for performing arts, they are used to help calm down and restrain kids with certain conditions it would seem.

I'm questioning what caused the initial shock from those who read the article. That the school was it would seem improperly using what seems to be an accepted technique, or the simple idea of putting a kid in a bag that is acting up?
 
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Emotions run high, here. Logically, what do you think should have been done, Aunt Spiker? Perhaps the bag issue isn't so wrong if it corrects the disruption?
 
Emotions run high, here. Logically, what do you think should have been done, Aunt Spiker? Perhaps the bag issue isn't so wrong if it corrects the disruption?

I would agree. Unfortunately, the article is written from one point of view, and with some intentional added tugstrings attached, it would seem .... :roll: ........ "Mommy, is that you ?" The school is limited in what they can say, and if the school's comments do not suit the purpose of the reporter, we may never hear them anyway.
 
Even if this bag were the "proper" lycra one, or whatever, as a parent, I want to know that putting my kid in this bag is or is not an option for the teachers. In other words, I don't want to show up to school surprised to find my kid in a bag, even the lycra bag. That's the issue, here. As a parent, I should be able to tell the teachers, no, don't put my kid in a bag, just call me, and I'll come get him.

We talk about teachers be ill equipped to deal with these sorts of things. Um. What if, as a private sector worker, I told my boss I was ill equipped to do my job? What would happen, do you think? I mean, they have special education teachers...these are the so called pros for this sort of thing. And they resorted to putting that kind into, as described by the article, a gym bag? Sorry, but seeing as getting a refund for these obviously unwanted "services" is not in the cards for the parents, then, you're god damn right some heads should roll.
 
Even if this bag were the "proper" lycra one, or whatever, as a parent, I want to know that putting my kid in this bag is or is not an option for the teachers. In other words, I don't want to show up to school surprised to find my kid in a bag, even the lycra bag. That's the issue, here. As a parent, I should be able to tell the teachers, no, don't put my kid in a bag, just call me, and I'll come get him.

We talk about teachers be ill equipped to deal with these sorts of things. Um. What if, as a private sector worker, I told my boss I was ill equipped to do my job? What would happen, do you think? I mean, they have special education teachers...these are the so called pros for this sort of thing. And they resorted to putting that kind into, as described by the article, a gym bag? Sorry, but seeing as getting a refund for these obviously unwanted "services" is not in the cards for the parents, then, you're god damn right some heads should roll.

Right - so the question becomes: When is it okay to put your 9 year old child into a Lycra bag by a grade school teacher or administrator, without your knowledge and approval?

The right answer should be "It's never okay." Hell, I don't even have kids and I know that bloody much.
 
Even if this bag were the "proper" lycra one, or whatever, as a parent, I want to know that putting my kid in this bag is or is not an option for the teachers. In other words, I don't want to show up to school surprised to find my kid in a bag, even the lycra bag. That's the issue, here. As a parent, I should be able to tell the teachers, no, don't put my kid in a bag, just call me, and I'll come get him.

The parent just based upon the article doesn't seem to have a problem with the lycra bags. As a general statement, sure you would want to know. It's great that you could just come get him also but what about those who can't? Or that might take an hour to get there? Should a teacher have to take an hour out of the days schedule to watch this one kid until you get there?
 
I'm not sure what to think. On the surface I'm inclined to freak out and want someone's head.

OTOH... I recall a documentary I watched once on autism. There was an autistic adult, semi-functional. In her home she had a device of her own design that is hard to describe... it looked like a largeish exercise machine with lots of heavily padded arms. When she felt overwhelmed or like she was going to lose control, she'd get in the machine and pull the levers, and the padded arms would close around her, kind of squeezing her slightly. She could get out on her own by pulling the lever anytime, but she said that being squeezed lightly and feeling as if she could not move somehow had a strong calming effect on her and helped her keep it together.

It was this lady. She went on to get her PhD, btw.

Temple Grandin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
If I had kids nowadays, I would home school them.
 
The parent just based upon the article doesn't seem to have a problem with the lycra bags. As a general statement, sure you would want to know. It's great that you could just come get him also but what about those who can't?
I guess if the parent can't come and get them, the kids stays in the lyrcra bag. Is that okay if it were your 9 year old and you couldn't come get him?

Or that might take an hour to get there?
It may take 3 hours... so the kid should stay in the bag in your opinion?

Should a teacher have to take an hour out of the days schedule to watch this one kid until you get there?
Absolutely - the teacher is responsible for that child while he/she is at school.
 
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