Re: CNN Story - Time Out - Seclusion Rooms - and greater atrocities

[Guest guest]

I don't think you're going to mind much, But I am contacting your

State Senators and the U.S. Dept. of Justice regarding this, thank you

for the names.

E. ,Sr. The Office of Advocacy for Autistic Children.

>

> I cannot begin to say all the things that are wrong with this sort of

> thing - time out rooms, etc. It is a loud cry for infusion of Positive

> Behavior Supports, effective visual supports, and communication

> partnering and communication supports. ....and common sense, I fear.

>

> I think many of us have children who have experienced something

> similar, either by formal policy of time out rooms or by inept staff

> as is the case with my son.

>

> Are you all aware there is a school in MA that uses electroshock

> therapy? Friends of mine have tried to have it closed a number of

> times - when they got too close to success, the director, Dr. Israel

> successfully got them all fired and worked away at their credentials.

> A number of these individuals are now among my closest friends and are

> keen advocates for quality living for all (many came through Oregon

> and helped close our institution). It is called the Judge Rotenberg

> Center. In this photo, from their website, you see three lovely

> looking young men in front of a lovely building:

> http://www.judgerc.org/images/PhotoTour/oldmapleext.jpg . Note the

> backpack on the one young man. That is his shocker pack. If he is seen

> on any of the monitors doing something " wrong, " he is shocked. If his

> steachers or assistance do not like his behavior, he is shocked. If he

> swears, he is shocked.

>

> In a recent flurry of action to close JRC, a story emerged of a two

> young men being shocked in excess of 70 times because an ex-student

> called in a prank.

>

> Mother Magazine did a couple of stories - here is a photo essay.

> Keep in mind, these are taken with teh JRC's permission!

>

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/09/school_of_shock_photo_essay_1.ht\

ml?welcome=true

>

> These stories break my heart. Be forewarned that schools who use

> inclusive practices also use time out rooms and practices for behavior

> they do not understand or know how to " control. " Education systems

> tend to be compliance based rather than support based unless cornered

> into doing the right thing. It's not malicious. They don't know better.

>

> Because the JRC was successful in the legal system, legislation is now

> the only way to close it. Regardless of the horrors that go on there.

>

> These students have multiple disabilities - not just autism. STudents

> with out autism end up in seclusion rooms too. I would advocate for

> any legislation written to include ALL children - regardless of

> disability - not to be subjected to such horrors. This is inhuman

> behavior for ANYONE. Any effort MUST be a consortium of groups to

> protect ALL children and promote the use of positive behavior

> approaches for all.

>

> If we use inclusive practices - including PBIS - and follow the intent

> of IDEA, in which a student is supported through modifications and

> accommodations and PBIS strategies, time out rooms are used less and

> less, leaving time for people to focus on students who have mental

> health and other concerns that are more complex.

>

> It's rough to watch and a far cry from what is typically seen in the

> Down Syndrome community, but we are not exempt.

>

> I cringe to think of how many atrocities truly exist.

>

>

> Joan

>

[Guest guest]

>

> I don't think you're going to mind much, But I am contacting your

> State Senators and the U.S. Dept. of Justice regarding this, thank you

> for the names.

> E. ,Sr. The Office of Advocacy for Autistic Children.

>

-

I do not live in Massachusetts.

This is when it's good to connect with others who have been fighting

these battles for a while. The legal action resulted in a situation

where JRC can only be closed through legislation. There was a push to

do just that last spring, but I believe it dodn't make it through. A

lot of very talented people have their eyes out and work at this as

they can.

I'm not saying that your effort and interest isn't nice, but that

folks in MA are quite aware.

Take care,

Joan

[Guest guest]

please when looking at closing residential schools and placements for

these practices think of those who have ended up there because no one

else can address their needs. Many parents don't easily place their

child into a place that does these things to their child.

We need to make sure that funding for community care and training for

those community staff is available. has an awesome arrangement

for a living situation except that there is constantly a shortage of

staff and many lack training before starting with that agency.

I think has spent much of his life training people in how to

meet his needs. This is not unusual for those with developmental

disabilities as well as physical disabilities. We need to fight for

funding for decent pay for staff working supporting those with

disabilities in the community. Staff who worked in the state

facilities often stayed for a long time because they were govt.

employees with govt benefits.

Our community staff work with fewer resources, less supervision, and

less pay. this needs to be addressed if we want to truly support

those with very challenging behaviors.

Karyn

> >

> > I cannot begin to say all the things that are wrong with this

sort of

> > thing - time out rooms, etc. It is a loud cry for infusion of

Positive

> > Behavior Supports, effective visual supports, and communication

> > partnering and communication supports. ....and common sense, I

fear.

> >

> > I think many of us have children who have experienced something

> > similar, either by formal policy of time out rooms or by inept

staff

> > as is the case with my son.

> >

> > Are you all aware there is a school in MA that uses electroshock

> > therapy? Friends of mine have tried to have it closed a number of

> > times - when they got too close to success, the director, Dr.

Israel

> > successfully got them all fired and worked away at their

credentials.

> > A number of these individuals are now among my closest friends

and are

> > keen advocates for quality living for all (many came through

Oregon

> > and helped close our institution). It is called the Judge

Rotenberg

> > Center. In this photo, from their website, you see three lovely

> > looking young men in front of a lovely building:

> > http://www.judgerc.org/images/PhotoTour/oldmapleext.jpg . Note the

> > backpack on the one young man. That is his shocker pack. If he is

seen

> > on any of the monitors doing something " wrong, " he is shocked. If

his

> > steachers or assistance do not like his behavior, he is shocked.

If he

> > swears, he is shocked.

> >

> > In a recent flurry of action to close JRC, a story emerged of a

two

> > young men being shocked in excess of 70 times because an ex-

student

> > called in a prank.

> >

> > Mother Magazine did a couple of stories - here is a photo

essay.

> > Keep in mind, these are taken with teh JRC's permission!

> >

>

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/09/school_of_shock_photo_

essay_1.html?welcome=true

> >

> > These stories break my heart. Be forewarned that schools who use

> > inclusive practices also use time out rooms and practices for

behavior

> > they do not understand or know how to " control. " Education systems

> > tend to be compliance based rather than support based unless

cornered

> > into doing the right thing. It's not malicious. They don't know

better.

> >

> > Because the JRC was successful in the legal system, legislation

is now

> > the only way to close it. Regardless of the horrors that go on

there.

> >

> > These students have multiple disabilities - not just autism.

STudents

> > with out autism end up in seclusion rooms too. I would advocate

for

> > any legislation written to include ALL children - regardless of

> > disability - not to be subjected to such horrors. This is inhuman

> > behavior for ANYONE. Any effort MUST be a consortium of groups to

> > protect ALL children and promote the use of positive behavior

> > approaches for all.

> >

> > If we use inclusive practices - including PBIS - and follow the

intent

> > of IDEA, in which a student is supported through modifications and

> > accommodations and PBIS strategies, time out rooms are used less

and

> > less, leaving time for people to focus on students who have mental

> > health and other concerns that are more complex.

> >

> > It's rough to watch and a far cry from what is typically seen in

the

> > Down Syndrome community, but we are not exempt.

> >

> > I cringe to think of how many atrocities truly exist.

> >

> >

> > Joan

> >

>

[Guest guest]

CNN 's story was about facilities in a SCHOOL - not a residential

placement. The boy hung himself during school hours with a staff member

sitting outside the closed and locked room where the watch window was

covered with paper. HE hung himself with a supplied by the school rope!

As to questions about closing facilities: the big issue is why are the

funds given to institutions not following the PERSON into the community????

> please when looking at closing residential schools and placements for

> these practices think of those who have ended up there because no one

> else can address their needs. Many parents don't easily place their

> child into a place that does these things to their child.

> We need to make sure that funding for community care and training for

> those community staff is available. has an awesome arrangement

> for a living situation except that there is constantly a shortage of

> staff and many lack training before starting with that agency.

> I think has spent much of his life training people in how to

> meet his needs. This is not unusual for those with developmental

> disabilities as well as physical disabilities. We need to fight for

> funding for decent pay for staff working supporting those with

> disabilities in the community. Staff who worked in the state

> facilities often stayed for a long time because they were govt.

> employees with govt benefits.

> Our community staff work with fewer resources, less supervision, and

> less pay. this needs to be addressed if we want to truly support

> those with very challenging behaviors.

>

> Karyn

>

>

> > >

> > > I cannot begin to say all the things that are wrong with this

> sort of

> > > thing - time out rooms, etc. It is a loud cry for infusion of

> Positive

> > > Behavior Supports, effective visual supports, and communication

> > > partnering and communication supports. ....and common sense, I

> fear.

> > >

> > > I think many of us have children who have experienced something

> > > similar, either by formal policy of time out rooms or by inept

> staff

> > > as is the case with my son.

> > >

> > > Are you all aware there is a school in MA that uses electroshock

> > > therapy? Friends of mine have tried to have it closed a number of

> > > times - when they got too close to success, the director, Dr.

> Israel

> > > successfully got them all fired and worked away at their

> credentials.

> > > A number of these individuals are now among my closest friends

> and are

> > > keen advocates for quality living for all (many came through

> Oregon

> > > and helped close our institution). It is called the Judge

> Rotenberg

> > > Center. In this photo, from their website, you see three lovely

> > > looking young men in front of a lovely building:

> > > http://www.judgerc.org/images/PhotoTour/oldmapleext.jpg . Note the

> > > backpack on the one young man. That is his shocker pack. If he is

> seen

> > > on any of the monitors doing something " wrong, " he is shocked. If

> his

> > > steachers or assistance do not like his behavior, he is shocked.

> If he

> > > swears, he is shocked.

> > >

> > > In a recent flurry of action to close JRC, a story emerged of a

> two

> > > young men being shocked in excess of 70 times because an ex-

> student

> > > called in a prank.

> > >

> > > Mother Magazine did a couple of stories - here is a photo

> essay.

> > > Keep in mind, these are taken with teh JRC's permission!

> > >

> >

> http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/09/school_of_shock_photo_

> essay_1.html?welcome=true

> > >

> > > These stories break my heart. Be forewarned that schools who use

> > > inclusive practices also use time out rooms and practices for

> behavior

> > > they do not understand or know how to " control. " Education systems

> > > tend to be compliance based rather than support based unless

> cornered

> > > into doing the right thing. It's not malicious. They don't know

> better.

> > >

> > > Because the JRC was successful in the legal system, legislation

> is now

> > > the only way to close it. Regardless of the horrors that go on

> there.

> > >

> > > These students have multiple disabilities - not just autism.

> STudents

> > > with out autism end up in seclusion rooms too. I would advocate

> for

> > > any legislation written to include ALL children - regardless of

> > > disability - not to be subjected to such horrors. This is inhuman

> > > behavior for ANYONE. Any effort MUST be a consortium of groups to

> > > protect ALL children and promote the use of positive behavior

> > > approaches for all.

> > >

> > > If we use inclusive practices - including PBIS - and follow the

> intent

> > > of IDEA, in which a student is supported through modifications and

> > > accommodations and PBIS strategies, time out rooms are used less

> and

> > > less, leaving time for people to focus on students who have mental

> > > health and other concerns that are more complex.

> > >

> > > It's rough to watch and a far cry from what is typically seen in

> the

> > > Down Syndrome community, but we are not exempt.

> > >

> > > I cringe to think of how many atrocities truly exist.

> > >

> > >

> > > Joan

> > >

> >

>

>

>

--

Sara - Life is a journey- we choose the path.

[Guest guest]

Sara and Joan - I have a complaint with a picture of the boy that

looks so simple.. but isn't - the backpack is exactly as you are

talking of..and in a public school. SHOCK Therapy. This has to stop.

These things do happen and many times we as parents aren't aware - It

is my hopes that all of this brings awareness to parents of those that

have been diagnosed over the past few years - we need to realize that

the atrocities that are seen in the remaining institutions are not as

well covered up as what is at the schools - it's just that nobody

wants to step up. It's time - if you know there's a room like that -

make sure it ISN'T like a cell and is a REAL sensory room for kids to

'gather' themselves vs. being subdued (our kids aren't WWF

Wrestlers!), that means it should have ventilation, windows, a door

that can be seen though, the flooring/ceiling must be in the same

shape as the rest of the school - and should have some sort of sensory

stimuli to help the child calm... although I personally wont even

accept that for my son with the reports of negative reinforcement

turning positive for some.

It would make somewhat of a difference if the funds were placed into

the schools instead of the institutions...when they can place these

children accordingly. But what is really needed is for part of that

850 Bil economic stimulus package Obama's transition team keeps

talking about - let a percentage.. even if our kids are only worth 10

percent - 8.5 billion would change things alot.. as long as it was

kept up annually.

E. , Sr. Founder The Office of Advocacy for Autistic

Children

> > > >

> > > > I cannot begin to say all the things that are wrong with this

> > sort of

> > > > thing - time out rooms, etc. It is a loud cry for infusion of

> > Positive

> > > > Behavior Supports, effective visual supports, and communication

> > > > partnering and communication supports. ....and common sense, I

> > fear.

> > > >

> > > > I think many of us have children who have experienced something

> > > > similar, either by formal policy of time out rooms or by inept

> > staff

> > > > as is the case with my son.

> > > >

> > > > Are you all aware there is a school in MA that uses electroshock

> > > > therapy? Friends of mine have tried to have it closed a number of

> > > > times - when they got too close to success, the director, Dr.

> > Israel

> > > > successfully got them all fired and worked away at their

> > credentials.

> > > > A number of these individuals are now among my closest friends

> > and are

> > > > keen advocates for quality living for all (many came through

> > Oregon

> > > > and helped close our institution). It is called the Judge

> > Rotenberg

> > > > Center. In this photo, from their website, you see three lovely

> > > > looking young men in front of a lovely building:

> > > > http://www.judgerc.org/images/PhotoTour/oldmapleext.jpg . Note the

> > > > backpack on the one young man. That is his shocker pack. If he is

> > seen

> > > > on any of the monitors doing something " wrong, " he is shocked. If

> > his

> > > > steachers or assistance do not like his behavior, he is shocked.

> > If he

> > > > swears, he is shocked.

> > > >

> > > > In a recent flurry of action to close JRC, a story emerged of a

> > two

> > > > young men being shocked in excess of 70 times because an ex-

> > student

> > > > called in a prank.

> > > >

> > > > Mother Magazine did a couple of stories - here is a photo

> > essay.

> > > > Keep in mind, these are taken with teh JRC's permission!

> > > >

> > >

> > http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/09/school_of_shock_photo_

> > essay_1.html?welcome=true

> > > >

> > > > These stories break my heart. Be forewarned that schools who use

> > > > inclusive practices also use time out rooms and practices for

> > behavior

> > > > they do not understand or know how to " control. " Education systems

> > > > tend to be compliance based rather than support based unless

> > cornered

> > > > into doing the right thing. It's not malicious. They don't know

> > better.

> > > >

> > > > Because the JRC was successful in the legal system, legislation

> > is now

> > > > the only way to close it. Regardless of the horrors that go on

> > there.

> > > >

> > > > These students have multiple disabilities - not just autism.

> > STudents

> > > > with out autism end up in seclusion rooms too. I would advocate

> > for

> > > > any legislation written to include ALL children - regardless of

> > > > disability - not to be subjected to such horrors. This is inhuman

> > > > behavior for ANYONE. Any effort MUST be a consortium of groups to

> > > > protect ALL children and promote the use of positive behavior

> > > > approaches for all.

> > > >

> > > > If we use inclusive practices - including PBIS - and follow the

> > intent

> > > > of IDEA, in which a student is supported through modifications and

> > > > accommodations and PBIS strategies, time out rooms are used less

> > and

> > > > less, leaving time for people to focus on students who have mental

> > > > health and other concerns that are more complex.

> > > >

> > > > It's rough to watch and a far cry from what is typically seen in

> > the

> > > > Down Syndrome community, but we are not exempt.

> > > >

> > > > I cringe to think of how many atrocities truly exist.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Joan

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

> --

> Sara - Life is a journey- we choose the path.

>

>

>