Something No One Wants to Hear About
June 26, 2008 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
A story no one wants to hear about but that reminds us that you can’t be too safe and sure when you’ve got someone babysitting a special needs child with limited communication skills: C and G News reports that a 21-year-old Macomb township man, Jonathan Maltese, was allegedly caught on camera molesting two young autistic children he was watching on June 19th. Maltese was employed by an agency that specializes in the needs of autistic children. The children’s parents “decided to monitor Maltese not because they had reason to believe he was molesting their children, but more so out of curiosity.”
I’ve noted that my son has entered puberty; there are a number of new things we’ve had to teach him, regarding what’s ok in public vs. at home. This story underscores why Jim and I have become more hesitant and choosy than ever about babysitters for Charlie: We just have to be so careful, plus.
My older son is the same age as Charlie. He is constantly fondling himself which is normal for this age and I try to tell that he should do it private. But I worry that if someone were to molest, he wouldn’t know as it might be pleasurable. I don’t have sitters, except for my dad, so that is one thing less to worry about.
Charlie’s been good about only doing this in private; sometimes I’m really fine not have sitters when it’s something like this to worry about.
When we started a home program with Eleanor one of the first things that I installed in the house was a video system. It was primarily to troubleshoot teaching and record team meetings but safety and liability was a consideration, both for her, but also for those working with her. We were very upfront that the house was cammed and all the cameras were clearly visible, both to act proactively, but also to avoid any issues that can happen from covert monitoring. Some people got nervous, but the ones who stayed came to appreciate having something to look at when questions came up.
I’ve been working on stranger danger and appropriate touch–it’s an issue for all children, but having a daughter, we are kind of hypersensitized.
(Capt. John Roberts of the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office) did not know whether Maltese had been removed from his care-giving position at press time.
…Roberts did say the video revealed “criminal acts committed upon the children by Mr. Maltese.” Because the investigation is ongoing, the Sheriff’s Office was reluctant to provide specifics.
…
“Based on the evidence of the video and interview, evidence does support the criminal sexual conduct charges,” Roberts said.
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Man, I hope that at least until this goes through the courts and is adjudicated, that Mr. Maltese is suspended from direct interaction with students.
And the agency needs to evaluate its background checks?
Regan, can you share some of your tips on how to teach stranger danger? Any books you’d recommend? I have been struggling with this.
Food for thought….IF you are trying to protect your children in your home and you have installed monitoring cameras, to PROTECT your children, you need to make it clear that those cameras are in place. This will allow your staff to always be on their best behavior. Makes one wonder why these parents kept this monitoring a secret…so rather than protecting their children, they simple were able to view what had happened. How did this protect their children??? Smells of a family looking for a lawsuit rather than looking out to protect their children. Tell your staff, not where they are, but they exist. Take time to watch the videos, and find situations that you view that you can tell the staff how well they handled a particular situation, this will enforce that there ARE cameras, and also that you are viewing them not just to look for something negetive.
“Smells of a family looking for a lawsuit rather than looking out to protect their children.”
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Possibly, but there was one notable case a couple of years back where a NJ family who originally was taking it on faith that everything was fine with a therapist until their son started demonstrating very odd and uncharacteristic behavior. They did covert cam, and I believe the explanation was that they didn’t want the therapist to know and do something out of the ordinary, and also weren’t sure if their suspicions had legs.
Turns out that she was shooting heroin and taking drugs during the shift, abusing the kid and squirting him in the face with a syringe. She was arrested, charged, found guilty and is currently serving time. One significant note was that there was considerable debate about the legality and admissibility of the tapes because they were covert.
That, I believe and hope, was a particularly exceptional and egregious example.
We installed ours, both for protection of child AND tutor and for instructional information, and were extremely forthright about the purpose and existence. The therapists who were not freaked out about videos found them useful to troubleshoot their technique, and most habituated very quickly and forgot they were being taped.
We never videotaped sessions. Often therapists worked with the door open and were frequently in and out to work on programs and also to ask questions—–we never had a problem, but maybe we were simply lucky. Some therapists told me they had worked with parents who taped and they were nonchalant about it; said it felt a bit odd at first to have a camera on them, and then just got used to it (and some even found it very helpful, as far as enabling them to see themselves on video, and see whaty they might need to change.)
From our understanding here, this young man had a stellar reputation with the family. There had NEVER been any concerns. WHY? Why would you not tell your staff if there had never been any signs of impropriaty? The quote was “they did it out of curiousity”. We all have to remember that the media loves to get their teeth into a juicy story and then sensationalize it.
Maybe we could take moment and realize things are not always as they seem and pray for all involved.
Well, the case goes to court soon, and presumably the facts of the matter will be laid out.
I can’t answer for how someone else does something. This is just how we handled it.
Jane,
I don’t claim that any of this is expert or comprehensive.
We’re doing a variation of appropriate touch/inappropriate touch, and who can do it using pictures and how close which people should be to you. I also spent time telling her how to refuse things–No. I don’t like that (compliance is nice, but refusal or acknowledging what someone doesn’t like is okay and a skill in my book). We also have tried to incidentally teach concepts of “not comfortable”, “scared”, “angry”. Some very simple social stories.
I found this helpful in thinking about what I should be considering, because I know that OAR/Peter Gerhardt has included some focus on sexuality and social safety in students with ASD. There are also references.
Best of The OARacle
Transitions 31
Bringing the Birds and Bees Down to Earth:
Social Skills, Sexuality, and Autism Spectrum Disorders 32
Social Safety Issues on the Spectrum:
Why Social Skills Training Alone Isn’t Enough 35
http://www.researchautism.org/resources/reading/documents/BestOfOARacle.pdf
These are hideously expensive, probably because they are geared to program applications, but I have had them recommended by a couple of people, who suggest that they could be purchased through a school district or agency. I have not used them personally, so can’t vouch for how well the programs work.
http://www.stanfield.com/sexed.html#A
Another program that has been suggested for younger children is “No-Go-Tell!” Also very expensive.
http://www.stanfield.com/sexed-1.html#H
Parents certainly want to trust anyone who works with their children, and parents whose children are disabled may well prefer to err on the side of taking precautions. My son has very limited language skills and he cannot tell us if anything that should not happen has happened. Like Regan, am speaking from my own experience.
Regan, thanks!!
We’re doing a variation of appropriate touch/inappropriate touch, and who can do it using pictures and how close which people should be to you.
This is where we struggle. Everything is so black and white in her world. I taught her about inappropriate touching and thought that she got it until the school told me that she would not let any of her therapists (OT and PT) touch her.
I will look up some of the books you mentioned. Thanks again.
this is outrageous this man should have his gentitals removed by a stump grinder. i know this man from high school and i believe every bit of this info to be true. He should not be allowed to see the light of day again.
A preliminary investigation about the allegations against Maltese has been delayed for 3 weeks, the July 9th C and G News reports:
Regan….
You spoke of “problems” with covert monitoring.What could the drawbacks be??
Jane,
I was looking into some things and also found this book by May Wrobel,
Taking Care of Myself: A Hygiene, Puberty and Personal Curriculum for Young People with Autism
There’s a section on appropriate and inappropriate touch, and other on menstruation, shaving, personal hygiene. The social stories are a little beyond Eleanor’s level as is, but I thought there were some good ideas. It also has the advantage of being FFAAARR more reasonable in cost.
Laycee,
I am no lawyer in any way shape or form, and it depends on the state, statute, and circumstances. For the specifics look up the law or consult an attorney.
Some states allow covert video taping and others do not, or specify certain notification. For simplicity’s sake in our case and to avoid potential complications, we were completely open, frank, and to avoid misunderstanding on the part of all parties, formally put it in writing and had the therapist sign that they understood and consented, with both parties receiving copies. In 4 years there were no problems and on the whole the videotaping was useful for purposes intended, and even appreciated for instructional decisionmaking and therapist training.
Regan,
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer.
This is really something all of us parents of autistically (and other special needs children) need to look at.
I say, tell your staff.
Nip in the bud anything that is inappropriate.
Protect your children.
Don’t wait to view something that is problematic.
Be proactive, just as you were.
Keep your staff on their toes.
And, keep in mind, things may not always be as they seem.
Laycee
Patches Ohulhan get real!!! You’re full of hot air because you know that’s not true. It’s people like you who deserve to never see the light of day again. You know you are lying about this man. I truly have gone to school with him since 8th grade through high school and he was always known to be a very kind, thoughtful and a respected person that everyone admired. You obviously were the exception probably because you are a liar and don’t really know him at all and just get pleasure out of condemning someone for your own personal sick purpose and/or because you’re the type that thinks you’re above everyone else …get the help you need and may God forgive you for your untruthfulness and hatefulness towards others. Maybe you can’t find a boyfriend or husband that would want someone like you ….I can’t imagine why!!….
Mr. Maltese’s court appearance brought additional arraignment
“…The next hearing will determine a date for Maltese’s preliminary examination back in Shelby Township. He is pleading not guilty to the charges.”
Laycee – you are out of line with your comments. To say that the family was not trying to protect their children and to make comments about them looking for a lawsuit are outrageous. You have clearly never been involved in a case where a member of your family has been sexually abused. Your comments are hurtful to family members who undoubtedly are racked by guilt in these situations wishing they had done more to prevent this situation. To make a judgement on what kind of parents these people are is out and out wrong when you do not know them and have not met them. Perhaps you should vent your negative energy at the sick disturbed young man who has now been charged with torturing these poor boys and less on the family who are victims in this case.
While I don’t think this was their intent — the bright side of their covert surveillance and the subsequent discovery of this guy’s shady behaviour is that now they know. And now other parents know. The abuse is still tragic and awful, but some good is coming from it.
If they had notified him of the cameras, he would have moved onto to another home where he could “safely” abuse a child.
I’m not saying you should use your child as bait or try to set up a mini-sting in your home… But in this case, that’s what happened, even though it was unintentional.
(Eh.. I feel like my post didn’t make a lot of sense.)