Former special ed teacher banned for slapping autistic boy
July 9, 2006 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
For slapping a five-year-old autistic boy in the face, former special education teacher Patrick Sagerhorn has been prohibited from teaching in a public or private school for two years, according to today’s DuluthNewsTribune.com. Sagerhorn had been a teacher in the Fergus Falls school district for 28 years; he was fired in December.
According to the complaint, another teacher saw Sagerhorn give the boy a tissue outside a classroom on Oct. 18. After the boy threw the tissue on the floor, the witness said Sagerhorn slapped the boy across the face and told him sternly, “You don’t do that.”
After the two-year ban, the Minnesota Department of Education and the state Board of Teaching will decide if Sagerhorn can return to teaching.
I have to say, I think he should not be able to teach. Period.
She should have listened to her own admonishment before she acted….
I would think he wishes he had now—
“According to the complaint, another teacher saw Sagerhorn give the boy a tissue outside a classroom on Oct. 18. After the boy threw the tissue on the floor, the witness said Sagerhorn slapped the boy across the face and told him sternly, “You don’t do that.””
I thought that such behaviour from professionals went out with Lovaas’ credibility. I see that his legacy lives on.
“Professionals”?