O1-Bullying Those Who Can't Speak

After search many article titles I found one that shocked me.  NJ teacher calls bullying claims 'disingenuous' on the CNN website. The article is about a dad Stuart Chaifetz and his ten year old son Akian who was diagnosed with autism. Chaifetz started to receive complains about his son acting out and hitting teachers in school. This was immediate red flag for the family because Akian never had any problems with teachers in the past. Most kids would tell their parents what was happening at school, for hope of fixing the issue. However Akain, struggles with speaking and couldn’t commutate the issue. After six months, and Akain’s behavior increasing getting worse Chaifetz wired his son to see what was going on behind closed doors.  Chaifetz was horrified from what he heard when he son came home. His teachers were verbally abusing his son.  Some of the things he heard were “Shut your mouth” and conversations talking about sex and drinking. The worst part of the six and half hour tapes were hearing his son crying and screaming.

Once I finished reading and watching videos on this subject, I was truly appealed.  All students should feel safe and welcome at school by the teachers and staff, not being abused.  Students who have special needs should have the highest care possible. There are many great programs that are available for those students, but what really happens when no one is watching? I am glad that Chaifetz was smart enough to realize something went terribly wrong and took it into his own hands. To think that there are teachers out there who would treat people who can’t speak for themselves that way is terrible.  There is a time and a place for those types of conversations and it should be done away from school grounds.  I hope that people will rally together to stand up with those with special needs who can’t take matters into their own hands.

However it does seem that teachers have been under the microscope lately. There are wonderful teachers out there and many of them are here in Alden. We are truly lucky to attend a school who has a staff that takes our education and environment every seriously.