Questions statements made in story about Asperger’s child
Jeff Tysinger, Ph.D., NCSP
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
I AM APPALLED at your sensationalistic journalism regarding the fable titled “In Seclusion” by Scott Rochat. It was my belief that journalism placed a premium on being fair and upon being accurate. In this spirit, it would not be fair to say that you completely fabricated the story, but you did not verify that what you were being told was correct. In printing this fable without verification you have hurt many people and done our community great harm.
You neglected to consider that without Kecia Frevert’s written permission Elizabeth McCoy could not even confirm that her son is in the Connections program. If the parent wanted the “truth” to be told, she should have given the author a release of information giving the Co-op permission to discuss the case. It isn’t responsible journalism to print a story based on one source accusing the other, knowing the other source cannot even legally respond. Whatever happened to fairness and printing the facts? I would expect much more from a Pulitzer Prize-winning paper.
All one would have to do is read the Connection’s brochure available to the public at FHSEC Resources, Forms & Publications under the Connections Forms (www.fhsec.org/forms_index.htm). It explains that the Connections program is designed to address the most severely emotionally disturbed children. It has nothing to do with Asperger”s syndrome or any form of Autism. The program only accepts students “identified for special education, meeting the criteria for emotional disturbance KSR (91-40-1) (v)” and not students with Asperger”s syndrome. This causes one to question the “truthfulness” of the rest of story.
Having a release of information would also shed some light on the circumstances surrounding Ben's timeout mentioned in your article. The information presented just doesn’t add up. As a trainer of school psychologists, I have some limited knowledge about the Connections program design and its policies. The timeout room is used only when the student is physically aggressive and out of control. The belief is that this room will protect them from themselves (self destructive behaviors) and protect the other children. It not used as punishment to get a student to comply and it is certainly not used because a student did not complete an assignment. It is used to protect them and other students from the violent, destructive physical attacks toward themselves or others. The room is always monitored while a student is in it. It would have to be, since there is no lock or latch to hold it closed. Therefore, a trained staff member is present and monitoring through the window. Once the student is no longer attempting to physically harm anyone, they are accepted back into the classroom with no ill feelings toward them.
You also falsely accuse the co-op of not have a “one big policy on seclusion.” They do — it is called the least restrictive environment and it is federal law. What this means is that all students will be taught in the typical classroom, unless they need additional support and structure to learn at their level. This decision is made by a team that includes the parent and uses good solid data to drive the decision.
Additionally, you mentioned some changes that have come about from the misuse of the timeout room. This is true and changes needed to be made in those instances. However, you allowed the public to believe that those things happened here in Emporia. They did not. Furthermore, it was not necessary to make any change in policy or structure of the room due to the new Kansas policy on timeout rooms. Emporia was already doing it right.
As I said earlier, I am a trainer of school psychologists. The job I train my students for is difficult enough without sensationalistic journalism shocking the public with unfounded accusations. Educators are highly trained individuals that have some of the hardest jobs and a great deal of responsibility. The public expects a great deal from our school personnel and they are not typically compensated adequately. These individuals are doing it for a higher purpose. They care about children and the community. Your irresponsible journalism has made their jobs harder by falsely questioning their actions. The community places great trust in our educators and your sensationalistic article has damaged the relationship. Your reckless journalism has hurt our children.
Editor’s note: Scott Rochat researched and wrote what we at The Gazette believe is a balanced account of a difficult subject to grasp. Not only did he write of one Emporia family’s experiences, but he showed how the issue affects families statewide. Rochat attempted to speak with Elizabeth McCoy about the individual boy’s case, but was told she could not discuss specific students.
Even with written permission from the boy’s parents, McCoy would not have been able to discuss the child, according to Nancy Horst, director of community relations for Emporia Public Schools.
“Even when parents waive a student’s right to privacy, we do not talk about the confidential records of individual students,” Horst told The Gazette.
We encourage readers to read the story and draw their own conclusions. The story is posted here.
Gwendolynne Larson
Managing Editor
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
I guess I'm wondering why it is okay to exclude a child for hours on end--if it happened in Emporia or California isn't really the question.
If it takes 2 hours for a child to calm down, someone should be with that child--not watching from a window.
In my experience as a parent, no degree required, my children got more upset when they were left alone to deal with their problem(s) than they would if I were there to help them work through their problem.
And the point, I think, of the Freverts story, was to point out that the "timeout room" is being used as a "cure all" for these children with behavioral problems. How easy is it to throw a child away for 2 hours?
And Dr. Tysinger said: The program only accepts students “identified for special education, meeting the criteria for emotional disturbance KSR (91-40-1) (v)” and not students with Asperger”s syndrome. This causes one to question the “truthfulness” of the rest of story.
Since when do most children with Asperger's NOT have some sort of emotional disturbances? In my experience, it is few & far between. Yes, Asperger's is the high end of the spectrum but are you saying that if a child is ONLY diagnosed with an "emotional disturbance" then s/he will be accepted into the program but if the child is diagnosed with Asperger's, s/he is excluded from the program? I think your statement is misleading.....because Asperger's does have emotional disturbances as part of the diagnosis in the first place.
Melissa
April 18, 2007 at 4:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
And, one more thing, I recommend reading the comments on the "In Seclusion" thread because, apparently, it's not just the Freverts that have experienced this problem.
Melissa
April 18, 2007 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rcr (anonymous) says...
the author is married to one of the people responsible for the care of the child. Brings up a question as to credibility of the protest. What else does the good Dr know? And how
I would challenge the statement that someone watched through the window at the child for the hours of seclusion he was subjected to. Hardly credible and this should be verifiable.
April 18, 2007 at 9:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
Now THAT is interesting. Hmmmmmm. I'm not sure how I feel now....I'll have to think about it.
I just know that if this is true, then LMAO at the nerve to write this letter and condemn the original article.
I'd be hellbent before my kid was put through the hell that these kids have been through.
Melissa
April 18, 2007 at 10:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barbara61 (anonymous) says...
I agree the good ol doctor is worried about the public finding out the truth about how screwed up there system is here. That special ed here is a disaster and mrs mccoy lied , lied , lied. I praise you Scott Rochat for having the respect for the community to let the public know the truth about a messed up system. Dont let a man thats more worried about how bad they look in the public stop you from doing your job which is to tell the truth to the public. You go Rochat ! There is a problem here and dont let that doctor thats more worried about lining his pockets stop you. There worried they may lose money when people dont trust them and dont want there kid in an ABUSIVE system.
April 19, 2007 at 4:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rcr (anonymous) says...
I would challenge the School board to perform a full investigation. Interesting that there is no word from them on the subject. The comp[lete program needs an Audit and a level of accountability from the School system. Look at the percentage of property taxes levied by USD. We should be receiving stellar treatment for these children given the amount of money tied to the school system. One of the issues this brings up is the tendency to sweep issues like this under the rug instead of confronting the problem and fixing it. Where is the school board? Maybe Scott should do a follow up on the Schools remediation of the issue.
April 19, 2007 at 11:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barbara61 (anonymous) says...
I agree completely with you rcr There needs to be an investigation into the entire system. This one is broke. That doctor went on some kind of a verbal rampage about Scott. You would swear he needed a dose of Ritalin. The way the teachers expect us to drug our kid when they dont know when to hush. He needs to take some of that anger and put it into repairing this mess. Turn a bad into a good. The people keep getting told to pay more taxes but there kids are being abused , and there are many graduating not even knowing how to spell , or to read and almost no histroy, There are many that cant do simple math. The teachers union has destroyed public schools. The teachers have to do something extreme to be fired. To me that is dangerous. When people feel they can get by with what they want.. it makes them lazy . Why apply 100% when you can get by with 60% and make the same pay as the teachers that are good and giving it there all. It is unfair to them and our kids.
April 20, 2007 at 3:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )