Hell Week Update 2…
This graphic from Despair, Inc.™ was way too apt for this post, so I couldn’t resist adding it:
I highly recommend that you first read the original post about "Hell Week" here, and the previous update on it here before reading this post.
Well, Pookey called the principal on Thursday (11/18) to find out the status on the investigation about the incident when Morgan wandered away from school… He was told that the investigation was now closed, and that if we wanted to get a copy of the report we needed to write to the Superintendent of PISD to request one. *sigh* I cannot believe that they would finish up the investigation without:
1. Talking to us, especially Pookey who had been involved near the end of the whole incident.
AND
2. Automatically giving us a copy of the report, and having a meeting to go over what they found out.
I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised about this development considering that it was their negligence & ineptitude that allowed Morgan to wander away from school in the first place. I also have a feeling that they didn’t do more than what they’ve already done: Placing large conspicuous signs to remind the teachers & aides to turn the door alarm on. This is not enough to make me feel that Morgan is truly safe, and I consider it a temporary measure. I just hope we won’t have to sue to get them to put more effective security measures in place. The very thought of it makes me tired.
Keep in mind that the Autism Spectrum Disorder is 10 times more prevalent than it was just 10 years ago, with 1 out of every 166 children being diagnosed with it. Some studies even place the prevalence of it even higher. Children with autism often do not understand the consequences of their actions, which at best can be annoying, and at worst can be catastrophic. It therefore becomes imperative that caregivers provide an environment where children with autism can be safe in. It is definitely a necessity that the inadequate safety/security measures currently in place in our school’s special education classrooms be upgraded. It’s too bad that it takes a (near) tragedy to call attention to the fact that they are not protecting special needs children adequately.
Add comment November 21st, 2005 Posted by: Ash