Whose Behavior Was “Inappropriate”?
November 18, 2007 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
A 16-year-old student at Ramapo High School in New Jersey wears a Halloween costume that “parodies a student with autism,” the November Bergen Record reports. A week later, math teacher Lee Barber is charged with assault; according to the student (who had a history of trouble at the school and with the law), Barber swore at the student because of his costume, and grabber the student’s shirt and pushed him during an in-school suspension. Barber has been charged with assault; the charges were brought by the boy’s mother.
Not sure where the “blame” lies in this case and only hope that all parties can learn something.
I think the correct question is “did anyone behave appropriately?”
Let’s hope someone can start doing that.
You are all assuming the student is telling the truth. Consider the source of the information, a student who has a long history of being in trouble with the law. From exposing himself on the school bus, to swearing at teachers, being abusive to autistic students, chewing tobacco in school, spitting on the floors, to constantly disrupting the learning process. It is also a shame that this student, who is clearly crying out for help, has been enabled by adults, around him. It is also a shame that a person with a PHD does not recognize this.
So many questions raised by this incident, indeed.