Discrimination in School
I just came across a news report which is frankly shocking to me.
It’s a combination of ‘Survivor’ and systematized bullying in a kindergarten class.
In Morningside, FLA, a 5 year old boy who is in the process of being diagnosed with Autism, was ‘voted out’ of class by his classmates.
How a Kindergarten teacher could allow this to happen (and actually facilitate this) is mind boggling.
According to a news report (click here to see the original news story), kindergarten classmates of Alex where given a chance to say what they didn’t like about Alex. After expressing their dislikes (apparently to Alex directly…), the teacher put Alex to a vote.
Unfortunately, Alex’s classmates voted 14-2 to kick him out of the class.
Alex’s mother picked him up - and won’t send him back to the school. She is reportedly considering legal action, and the school board is reportedly starting an investigation.
Although this story is about Autism/Asperger’s - I’ve written about it here on my ADD/ADHD blog for four reasons:
- Some of my readers are concerned about Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Often kids with ADD/ADHD are teased, bullied and isolated socially - so the same issues apply
- I am an advocate for all of child’s (and adult’s) mental health - so if I can help to bring awareness and stop ignorance in any way - I will use this blog to do so…
- If I don’t stand up against discrimination when it arises, then I feel that I am condoning it. There is no way I can do that with this one…
I just find this outrageous.
For all of the advocacy work that many of us do - for something like this to happen in 2008 (or any time!) is completely unacceptable.
I want to think that this is an anomaly.
I want to believe that there aren’t other teachers who are using the model developed by reality TV (i.e. vote a student ‘off the island’ like on Survivor) to allow their students to humiliate and bully the most vulnerable in their classes.
Beyond this, I’m finding myself at a loss for words…
What do you think?
Is this an isolated incident?
What can we do to prevent anything like this happening again?
Please enter your thoughts and comments in the space below.
Dr. Kenny
Technorati Tags: Autism, Aspergers, ADD, ADHD, School, bully, bullying, Reality TV
ADDENDUM:
I’ve just found this video from CNN about this issue.
Here it is:
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Written by Dr. Kenny Handelman - The ADHD Doctor
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May 28th, 2008 at 9:52 am
My 15 year old son was diagnosed with Asperger’s when he was 13 years old. The symptoms - of course - were always there. However, 10 years ago the knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorders was not.
Like this boy, he was bullied and excluded as a young child because he was so very different. The administrators at his elementary school told us repeatedly that “he brings it (the bullying) on himself” because “he just doesn’t fit in.”
I cannot tell you how my heart aches for this child and for the parents and how badly I want to talk (not so nicely) to this teacher. She should not be teaching.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:22 am
My 12 year old son was diagnosed with ADHD and PDD (Asperger’s) just a week ago. As in many cases the signs were there for some time (that I can now recognize as signs…). His experiences at school were terrible. We changed schools few times to escape the students and, unfortunately, the teachers also. He was bullied a lot, and the same as in Dana’s case the teachers were telling us that he brings on upon himself.
At one of the schools, the principal herself, set my son down (I was on my way to see him after he “misbehaved” again…) and told him that he will grow up to be a CRIMINAL if he continues being the way he is. My son was 7 years old then… I was horrified. And i do not think that was the first time she said that. Apparently she had a lot of conversations with him behind the closed doors without me or his dad around…
I did contact the superintendent of the school, Toronto School Board worker, the principle “calmed down” a bit, I still changed schools. And couple of years later I changed the school board…
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I can believe it. I don’t agree, but I believe.
Take a look and respond to the following, if you will.
http://forums.insidebayarea.com/topic/should-a-kid-be-punished-for-not-performing-well-academically
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Hi,
I took some time to respond to that thread.
I hope my comments can help!
Dr. Kenny
October 7th, 2008 at 12:23 am
I am the parent of a 13 year old son. He is a kind, gentle, lving, funny sensitive, witty, and intuitive boy who also has ADHD. He sees the world in a very different way, and has strengths that I admire, as well as other characteristics that I worry about. My son, though wonderful in many ways, does not fit into the one-size-fits all education system that we have too long accepted. I get calls from school all the time…little things….he talked during class, didn;t finish his work, was uncooperative, lost his materials, was late for class…..the list of minor infractions is endless. I want to scream from the top of my lungs, “HE HAS ADHD…WHAT PART OF THIS SURPRISES YOU?” Then to add insult to injury…unmedicated my son is extremely impulsive and highly distractable (and that is a true understatement). He attended school on his medication and also gets a dose during school. This allows him some added impulsive control and focusing ability…which he absolutely needs to approximate survival in school. Well….once home I do not give him his evening meds, as he struggles to fall alseep. Without sleep his medication does not seem affective, and he is an absolute mess, I choose sleep for him at night verses a third dose of meds. Given this, you can only imagine the challenges I face with homework. The quantity is ridiculous for students who excel academically….but for my son…..well, let’s put it this way, the earliest I’ve gone to bed and put him to bes since school began is 10:15pm. When he comes home from school he has a snack and unwinds until I get home from work, then I say a quick hello, survey the homework and/or other circumstances of all of the children, make dinner and begin to simultaneously work with my son. We break to eat, and I clean up, then back to work……typically until 10-10:30ish…then bed. What a life right? All of this time is spent organizing, explaining, reteaching, and rephrasing….oh, and arguing. I love my son, and would much rather take a walk around the pond with him. Homework is ruining our life. It is an unrealistic expectation to believe that an unmedicated 13 year old boy with ADHD can put in 6 hrs everyday doing something he hates and feels unsuccessful at, and then come home to a place that exists as his safe haven…only to do three more hours of the very thing that makes him feel like a worthless failure. What is wrong with this picture? And more importantly…..what can I do to end the madness? I am in education myself…..and can not understand how teachers can load kids up with what they should be teaching them. It is destructive to families when this much of their time together consists of homework. I need suggestions, help, feedback….something. My son is too important, too wonderful, and has too many gifts to be completely striped of his self-worth by some generic education system that is too blind to see the gifts he can bring to the world. I know my son will do well in life, if school doesn’t kill his spirit first.
I think it is discrimination to hold a child such as my son as a homework hostage.
Help the Worried Mom…PLEASE
October 7th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Hi,
I’m sorry to hear about your situation.
Here are a few thoughts:
1) Medicine ideas: a) maybe a non-stimulant like strattera could make a difference with concentration, and not cause insomnia; b) maybe one of the long acting stimulants will last into the evening without causing insomnia; c) maybe a natural remedy like Melatonin will help with his sleep; d) maybe a medicine like clonidine or guanfacine (tenex) will help with sleep. Obviously talk to your doctor.
However - medicines are by no means the only answer here.
2) Education: is there a way to get him an IEP - i.e. individual education plan so that the school helps out to accomodate his differences, or even modifies the expecations?
3) Is there a different school/program he can go into?
4) Have you considered home schooling as an option?
Best,
Dr. Kenny