Posted on 09/23/2007 7:43:27 PM PDT by Graybeard58
A six-year-old autistic boy has been charged criminally after an incident inside his school where he allegedly assaulted a teacher's aide.
It's a story you saw first on 9News.
The incident happened earlier this month at Taylor Elementary School in Brooksville, Ky., located in Bracken County.
He is in kindergarten at Taylor Elementary, but 9News was told that due to his autism and other conditions, his mental capacity is the equivalent to a child half his age.
But despite that condition and his age, it still hasn't stopped a school employee there from holding him accountable: criminally.
Whether it's playing outside with his parents, or coloring SpongeBob Squarepants pictures, Nathan Darnell isn't much different than other kids his age.
But two things that do make him different from many other six-year-olds is his autism – and his criminal rap sheet.
"We are not denying that he did what they are saying, but we are denying he is culpable," said Tony Darnell, Nathan's father.
It was just last week when Nathan's teacher's aide, Glenda Schiltz, filed a juvenile fourth degree misdemeanor assault charge against him.
"What human being with a heart would do that to a six-year old?, asked Cathy Darnell, Nathan's mother. "Seriously, who would do that? I know I wouldn't."
According to the affidavit which 9News obtained, Schiltz alleges that on September 5, Nathan grabbed her by the shirt, pulled her backwards and began punching and kicking her.
"He admits to shoving her down, but he says he didn't pull her backwards," said Tony Darnell.
"She is no small person, she can defend herself," said Cathy Darnell.
So what does the school have to say about the matter?
Superintendent of Bracken County Schools Tony Johnson would not appear on camera but did say in a statement, "I believe we followed proper procedures and I have full faith in my staff".
Despite being autistic, Nathan is integrated with all kindergartners at Taylor Elementary.
His parents believe Schiltz and other teachers there are ill-prepared to handle special needs students.
His mother openly questions Schiltz's credentials.
"[She believes] you need to take him behind the woodshed and teach him something," Cathy Darnell, said. "That is her mentality, beat it out of him."
"Most of the time it [Nathan's behavior] is whining and screaming. I am sure that is hard on teachers and stuff, but we find a way to deal with it," said Tony Darnell.
On Wednesday the family went to the county courthouse, where an inquiry was held and it was decided the criminal case against Nathan will indeed move forward.
It's likely then that Schiltz will have to be there.
But until they get a chance to tell her personally, Nathan's family, in the meantime, does have something they want to say to her.
"She is a cold-hearted woman, that she has made every teacher look bad," said Cathy Darnell.
Repeated attempts to contact Glenda Schiltz were unsuccessful.
9News also was in communication with several school board members and none wanted to comment on the matter.
This is all heading to a proceeding scheduled for next week in which six-year-old Nathan will appear in juvenile court as a defendant.
Show me the study that lends credibility to you quote of "From VxH | 09/24/2007 11:32:04 AM PDT replied You don’t really want to engage in a public discussion of how “dumb” parental behavior is often a significant factor in the incidence of Down’s syndrome, do you? Stupid is as stupid does.
I am not sure what you mean by supports. A teacher’s aid may have been helpful. Unfortunately , it sounds the boy would be using the aide as a body guard. The school should not allow little thugs treat other people so badly.
I’m not sure of whose ego you are complaining.
Parents are not egotistical for demanding the school try to help them educate their children up to a certain level. Special education is not able to educate children beyond basic literacy. That is long ways off from being able to live independently.
You must mean telling parents to forget about their child’s education while their child quietly rots in a special education class is egotistical. You are correct.
“Amen to that. Of course most teachers just sit there and don’t say a word at these meetings as they are more interested in collecting their paychecks then stepping up to the plate and stating the child needs supports.”
I’ve been pretty lucky on that score so far. Most of the teachers I’ve dealt with have been great, some haven’t understood how the system works, but after having it explained to them, I’ve been able to get them on board. Back when we were still mainstreaming his SE class aide had a free period when his inclusion language class was in session, and she gave up her free period until the class was part of his routine, and then passed it off to a younger aide in training. Both aides were outstanding.
Adult egos? can you give me an example of that?
You are in a good school district — excellent work on the inclusion transition!
That is the way it is supposed to happen, or should happen.
It does not always happen that way..contrary what your own experience was or is.
To damn every teacher is wrong as Love seems so willing and bent on doing...at least thats the impression she gives with remarks like: Of course most teachers just sit there and don’t say a word at these meetings as they are more interested in collecting their paychecks then stepping up to the plate and stating the child needs supports.
This only serves to alienate everyone from each other.
I know alot of very good and caring teachers that were handcuffed by the support they were given. It puts them into a lose lose situation. They have the included child and their parents ..and the other children and their parents. Obviously by the comments Ive seen on here ..thankless.
Instead of this put down bickering ...which serves NO ONE....both sides can converse to make the system work. For all the kids. Each should walk a mile in the other shoes before remarks are hurled like swords. Then and only then will anything be accomplished to make the system work....
one more time for the chorus...
Adult egos should get out of the way.
“Unfortunately , it sounds the boy would be using the aide as a body guard. The school should not allow little thugs treat other people so badly.”
I’ve found a really good way around this. I have my sons siblings visit his class, and they talk to the other kids and explain his strange behavior, and how to deal with it, and they usually show off a few of their brothers better tricks. This has, so far, had the effect of endearing their brother to the other students who have never been slow to step up and help him. I’ve also had his behaviorist explain him to the class, and I get to know all his classmates, and as many of the parents as I can. Understanding is they key to getting the other kids involved. Kids love to help.
Throws hands up...gives up...
I wont debate with someone who assumes meanings to words I have NOT said or thinks that they know what I am thinking.
I have nothing to prove. So I am bowing out of a debate that has raged for days and has gotten no where. Mostly because as I repeat myself...people listen they just dont hear.
“You are in a good school district — excellent work on the inclusion transition!”
The district is hit & miss, but we’re at a good school. Loads of parent involvement, awareness, the whole 9 yards.
I’m also involved with AUTISM SPEAKS. Are you familiar with them? We’re doing a big fundraiser here in Nov.
What a second here — as an advocate I understand the system. I understand that teachers are threatened by Administration to not open their mouths at IEP meetings (reason for my collect a paycheck comment) and they don’t cause they want their jobs.
IDEA dictates that the child should learn in the environment that they would have been taught in without a disability. The LRE must afford every support to make that happen. If that environment is not appropriate for the child even with full supports then a continuum of alternative placements are explored.
With the child in question, he was thrown into a LRE without any supports at all. He cannot be productive in an inclusion setting without supports. He cannot access the general curriculum without supports. That is the issue here, not the workload of a teacher who has done nothing to secure this child the supports he needs.
Either way, either shoe — the fault and frustration should be directed at the school district, not the child. She chose to direct it at the child and the federal regulations put in place to protect the child. She can be a grownup now and take the heat for her statement.
Egos? I think her ego “I am so offended” is pretty much the only one on display here.
You have found a truly great, public school. Those are words I have never written or spoken.
Ideally ,education should help people obtain useful skills which they would never be able to obtain on their own.
I am familiar with Autism Speaks. I do a lot of work for local autism groups, and I actually run a very successful support group for special needs children.
Parents helping parents is the only way we get through this maze of special education.
“I know alot of very good and caring teachers that were handcuffed by the support they were given.”
I think that was Lovesbloggers point. If this teacher is handcuffed it’s due to lack of knowledge, or just not doing it. The teachers are very empowered, as are the parents. If a teacher goes to the ARD meetings and explains what the situation is, and demands the IED be met (an aide, more training, etc ) the parents aren’t going to tell the teacher that she can’t have those things. Now you’ve got the teacher and the parents pulling for the same thing. It’s not hard to swing 1 more and then you can change the kids IED to include whatever is required, at that point it can’t be denied, as it’s mandated by law. but you have to go to the meetings, and you have to know how the system works, and a lot of this happens “off the clock”. I’m not saying rwkansas isn’t doing their best, but rather needs to find out what is possible, and make that happen. The teacher is, after all, responsible for the class, and each student in it.
You should have been more clear about who you thought was egotistical.
You gave me no choice but to assume the best about you.
“Parents helping parents is the only way we get through this maze of special education.”
Amen brother Amen
You have no idea about the political situation at the school. When you hear of people filing charges like this it is because of the situation at the school. When people are attacked they have the right to do what they want to legally, everyone assumes the child has no control. The parents have so many rights, often these rights are abused to the point where the rights of others are infringed on. Just because a child has a disability doesn’t mean they should be given a protection under the law to terrorize others, especially when the child is being mainstreamed. I personally believe the child is capable of having some self control, otherwise, they wouldn’t have mainstreamed the child at all. There are various degrees of autisum. It sounds like the parents are using their child’s disability to take advantage of the situation because the situation sounds out of control. People who over-react like you and start screaming someone should lose their heads are in effect the reason why others are able to abuse their rights and then it becomes an abuse of others rights.
Did you go to a large school?
“It sounds like the parents are using their child’s disability to take advantage of the situation because the situation sounds out of control.”
It sounds more like an autistic 6 year old, got too revved up and pushed a teachers aide, and the the aide overreacted.
I’m not excusing the child’s behavior, but he’s an autistic 6 year old. My autistic 13 year old had a melt down at school earlier this year and hit and scratched his aide. we’ve since been trying some new redirection methods and have met with the teachers the aide and a behaviorist....no criminal charges were filed.
Do some research - IDEA came out in 1974, 6 years before President Reagan. However, President Carter, Reagan, Bush 41, Clinton, Bush 43 have all RE-AUTHORIZED it. But the beginnings of IDEA cannot be laid at President Reagan's feet.
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