Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Child with Asperger’s Syndrome Arrested

IDAHO— Police arrested Evelyn Towry, an 8-year-old girl with Asperger’s syndrome (a high-functioning form of Autism), at her Idaho elementary school after being fighting with and being restrained by school personnel. The incident appears to have stemmed from Evelyn’s being denied entry into a school event because she was wearing a "cow costume" consisting of a hooded jacket with cow ears and a tail. According to the student and her mother, teachers first separated the child from other students in a different room. When she tried to leave, teachers restrained her. Reportedly, the student then struck, kicked, and pinched the teachers in an effort to break free. The Lake Pend Oreille School District Superintendent said the school called police due to the child’s “escalating behavior that resulted in what we perceived to be an assault on staff." Teachers report Evelyn has a history of problematic behavior, and her mother acknowledges problem behaviors dating to kindergarten. Nonetheless, she says the use of restraint is unnecessary.

CONNECTICUT—In a related story from, police charged a 30-year veteran elementary school teacher with cruelty after having a 6-year-old student with Autism remove her shirt in front of her class. The teacher said she was trying to re-direct the student, who had become fixated on shirt’s striped pattern. The school district terminated the teacher.

SOURCES:
Parents Consider Legal Action After Autistic Girl, 8, Arrested at School
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=6640478&page=1

Incident With Autistic Student Costs Teacher Job
http://wcbstv.com/topstories/teacher.arrested.autistic.2.903463.html

47 comments:

Anonymous said...

Having a child arrested is cruel and unfair especially one with a disability such as autism. This child shouldn't had been restrained from attending a school event just because of a "cow costume" which was apparently just a sweater. It is not like it was affecting anyone in a negative way or causing a disruption. Obviously the school over reacted over just a sweater and was judging this student just because of her autism. I think the student's behavior was caused by the school personnel behavior towards her. Also, with the story in Connecticut, teachers shouldn't have the right to judge a student because of something that has no effect on anyone such as an article of clothing just because of their own likes. I am glad that this teacher was terminated because it is both harassment and discrimination. Priscilla F.

ellen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

A child should not be arrested for any reason what so ever most especially a child with autism, which am sure the teahers and the school are aware off. I think they over did it, it is just over an out fit, she did not expose her self in any way, she has the right to dress which ever way she wishes to. It is discrimination for the school to have reacted on a child that has a diability.
The Connecticut teacher is mean, because you can't treat a 6 year old child like that making student to take off her shirt in front of the class that was mean I'm glad the teaher was terminated people like that should not be in the school system.

Anthonia . F

Anonymous said...

A child with a disability especially autism should not be arrested for false accusation. For example this little girl wasn’t doing anything wrong in her own mind she didn’t think anything bad. I believe that the school overreacted tremendously to the whole ordeal. This situation went out of proportion and it was very cruel because this little girl didn’t mean any harm to anyone especially just because she wore a cow costume. I also think they were discriminating on her disability.

In the article of the Connecticut teacher, I do believe that she was wrong. How would she feel if somebody did that to her own child? The school system did the right thing by terminating her along with her stupidity. People need to be more aware of what’s going on in the public school.

Eliazet G

Anonymous said...

It is hard to imagine an 8-year-old girl being arrested, and even more so if she has autism. It seems ridiculous that faculty felt she was to much to handle and that they felt they had to resort to calling the police. I'm sure the faculty knew that the girl had a form of autism, and they should all be educated on what Autism entails. I feel they were overreacting to this situation and although I do feel there should be some sort of discipline for the pinching and kicking, it was ridiculous for her to be arrested. Would another student without autism be arrested for that behavior? Or would there parents be called in for a conference and maybe a few days of expulsion? It seems that in this case and in the Connecticut situation these teachers and staff have failed to be familiar with the behaviors of students who may have a disability. These students should be understood, not embarrassed or arrested, and teachers should be educated on aspects of Autism.
Laura E. (Rivas)

Anonymous said...

I agree with Evelyn’s mother respond saying that the restraint and the participation of the police was unnecessary. Presumably, Evelyn had a history of being problematic, which explains why the teacher put her in a different room separated from the rest of the children, probably in a way to prevent Evelyn from causing more problems, or even to prevent her from hearting other kids or even herself. I believe Evelyn’s behavior is understandable because it is evident that she was scared, angry, and desperate to escape from the isolation because she felt trapped. It is also understandable that the teacher were unable to control the situation therefore the police intervention was “necessary.” However, in my opinion this only proves the incompetence from the school to protect and provide professional staff capable to provide the care for students that require special attention and understand the needs of each individual student.
Esly B.

Daphne J. said...

This child should have not been arrested just for wearing a costume and for trying to break free from being restrained, especially if they know this child has a disability such as autism. I don’t see anything wrong with a costume it is not like the child was putting anyone in danger. Her behavior was understandable due to the fact that she was scared. In my opining the school was discriminating the person with the disability, because they were aware of it. The actions they took were unnecessary.
In the article with the Connecticut teacher, I believe she was wrong and unprofessional, what this teacher did was discriminate and harass this student. Terminating her was the right thing to do; we don’t need teachers like that.

Daphne J.

Anonymous said...

I think the teachers made an improper act restraining an 8yr old girl with autism and for calling the police to have her arrested. As professionals, the teacher should have handled the situation better without harming the child. The teachers should have come to an understanding with the child to prevent an unnecessary commotion. We are all human beings. We should learn to communicate to better understand each other. Of course, the child was going try to free herself but that does not give them the right to restrain the child without the consent of the parents. I agree with the mother. Restraining the child was unnecessary. Who would want to see their child restrained? I don’t think the teachers would have liked for this to be done to their child. I think that teachers wanted to make their jobs easier. As for the police, they made an unlawful act arresting an underage child when they don’t know the real reason for the child’s behavior.

I think the teacher made an improper act. She should have taken care of the situation to prevent the student from repeatedly having her shirt stripped. I think the school should have a special teacher to take care of the students with special needs. I believe, these individuals should be allowed to work in public schools.

Alicia S.

Anonymous said...

I think the teachers made an improper act restraining an 8yr old girl with autism and for calling the police to have her arrested. As professionals, the teacher should have handled the situation better without harming the child. The teachers should have come to an understanding with the child to prevent an unnecessary commotion. We are all human beings. We should learn to communicate to better understand each other. Of course, the child was going try to free herself but that does not give them the right to restrain the child without the consent of the parents. I agree with the mother that restrain was unnecessary. Who would want to see their child restrained? I don’t think the teachers would have liked for this to be done to their child. I think the teachers wanted to make their jobs easier by calling the police to take care of this matter. As for the police, they made an unlawful act arresting an underage child when they don’t know the real reason for the child’s behavior.

I think the teacher made an improper act. She should have taken care of the situation to prevent the student from repeatedly having her shirt stripped. For instance, the school should have considered hiring a special needs teacher to take care of the student needs from exposure to other students. May be this could have been avoided if the school would have taken act on this matter. I'm glad the teacher was terminated from her position because we don’t need these non-professional individuals working in public schools.

Alicia S.

Anonymous said...

I think this child should have not been arrested. As professionals I would think that those teachers would know how to control a child. She may have had problems in the past but it does not show professionalism to those teachers. The costume didnt seem to be bothering anybody, they should have taken a different approach to this child, especially if they know she has autism.
LM

Anonymous said...

I agree with most of the other comments on here; having an eight year old arrested is ridiculous much less a child who has Asperger's syndrome. I have a younger cousin who has Aspergers and I know that if he were arrested; immediate action would be taken place. He has been through problems in school and some teachers do not know how to handle students with disabilities. As one comment stated that some teachers are not trained to handle certain situations espeacially in a situation like this one. I would recommend that school districts send their employees to a workshop to learn about disabilities and how to handle certain situations. As for the Connecticut story, they have no right to tell a student to take off their shirt in front of their fellow classmates. I am glad that the teacher was terminated.
Lizette G.

Anonymous said...

This story really shocked me, poor girl and she is only 8 years old. Those cruel teachers and principle really make me angry. I honestly think they need to approach things differently and lecture those kids that are mean to other kids just because of what they are wearing. Each child is there own individual. The sad part is that the problem was the paraprofessional because they didnt let her go to an event because she was wearing a "cow costume". Also, these so call teachers are judging this child just becuase she has autism. Why didnt they restrain any other child, and only her away from anyone else. But, I am happy they terminated the theacher. Also this other story from Connecticut how does the teacher have a heart to even be so cruel to children.
Belinda G.

Anonymous said...

Just to hear that an 8 year old child got arrested in school sounds unbelievable, much less know that this child has the disability of autism. The reason for her arrest, according to the administration, was unfair. This "costume" that the child was wearing was in no way bothering other people, or putting anyone in danger. The way I see it, they were discriminating this 8 year old for having a disability and finding any excuse to make a big deal out of it. The school overreacted with arresting this child just because of a sweater she was wearing. If was another child with no autism, I don't think the child would have gotten arrested, they just discriminated the ones that did--very unfair.
With the story in Connecticut, the teacher had all the right reasons to be terminated. What she did was unethical. Who in their right mind would ask a 6 year old child to take off their shirt? That is sick. School districts should not have staff with those intentions working for them.

Anonymous said...

I believe that having the child arrested was a dumb thing to do by the administrators. I just think that this situation could of been handled differently since the child has autism.It was just a cow jacket that the little girl was wearing and she needed it because at this time of year its cold in Idaho. A child shouldn't be denied entrance to a school function just because of her flashy cow jacket or any other flashy clothing.
-Francisco N.-

Anonymous said...

After reading this article about the student with Asperger's syndrome i'm glad the teacher got terminated. I believe they over reacted and took it way to far just because she was wearing a hooded jacket in the form of a cow costume. First of all for what reason was she singled her out just because she had the costume and not let into the school event. Second why did they have to seperate her from the other students. Anyone's natural instinct when restrained by someone they don't know or are not comfortable with are gonna flinch and struggle to get out of that situation so of course what Evelyn did was react normally. So for the school to escalated the situation and call the cops just arrest her cause she pinched and attacked the teacher was completely unneccessary in my opinion. I conside with the family and would take legal action as well against the school.

Anonymous said...

After reading this article about the student with Asperger's syndrome i'm glad the teacher got terminated. I believe they over reacted and took it way to far just because she was wearing a hooded jacket in the form of a cow costume. First of all for what reason was she singled her out just because she had the costume and not let into the school event. Second why did they have to seperate her from the other students. Anyone's natural instinct when restrained by someone they don't know or are not comfortable with are gonna flinch and struggle to get out of that situation so of course what Evelyn did was react normally. So for the school to escalated the situation and call the cops just arrest her cause she pinched and attacked the teacher was completely unneccessary in my opinion. I conside with the family and would take legal action as well against the school.

Anonymous said...

It was wrong and totally unfair to have arrested Evelyn Towry, especially with her condition. Plus she shouldn't of been denied the right to participate in the school event for wear a cow costume. Teachers could have at least let her play a role in the background or something. The parents should have also been called before they noticed the police and if Evelyn's behavior was being a "problem" for the teachers then the parents should have been informed of the "escalating behaviors" if they weren't. As for the incident in Connecticut that teacher got what he desired. Having a student, with a disability or not, remove their shirt or any piece of clothing in front of the class is just wrong and unethical.

Anonymous said...

It’s shocking to hear about these types of stories in the news every day. When will it end? Well I feel that with the Idaho incident, the school should of first of all not made such a big deal about the cow jacket. Their kids, they should be wearing cute things of that that sort and she should of definitely not been arrested. She is 8-years old for goodness sakes and has Autism. Maybe another form of punishment should of been assessed, but definitely not a restraint.

With the Connecticut incident, I felt that what the teacher did to that little girl was absurd and so sad. I am glad the teach got terminated, who know what he could of done next.

Anonymous said...

Idaho
Having an 8 yr. old child being denied into a school event for wearing a jacket representing a cow is absolutely inappropriate. The child was doing no harm to anyone and should not have been treated differently for dressing in a unique way. “According to the student and her mother, teachers first separated the child from other students in a different room.” Having a child separated because of their disability or unique characteristics is absolutely inappropriate. The child had no fault in the incident, and I definitely agree with the mother as she mentions there was no reason for the restraint.
Connecticut
Making a 6 yr. old child take off her shirt in front of her fellow peers is unethical. Taking advantage of this young girl because she has autism is not right. The teacher is a professional and should have addressed the situation in a more professional manner. Her charge and termination were for the best to prevent it from happening to other students.
Emily R.

maria v said...

The child should not have been arrested. HOwever, if the administrators and police were more knowledgeable in the area of autism this would not have happened. Many times, professionals act in such a way when they do not understand a disability and are not familiar with the behavior...

ellen said...

Re: Idaho Incident:
The linked ABC story mentions that the family is considering legal action against the school. I would too! The police may have been uninformed about the child's disability and corresponding behavior. Further, they were called in after the situation had escalated.

The school personnel, however, have no such excuse. I'm no expert, but I have read that children with Asperger's may become reactive (try to escape) when being restrained. If a school has a child with a disability attending, shouldn't the staff be familiarized with the best practices in caring for that child? IMO if the staff hadn't been trained, then the school is negligent. If the staff had been trained, but lost control, then those staff members were negligent.

Re: CT incident:
The linked story on wcbstv.com states: "Police said Valeriay told them she had been taught to verbally redirect students and remove distractions when they get distracted."

Sure, that technique is valid WITHIN REASON. Asking a child to remove a shirt is definitely not reasonable. Even a child has a right to dignity. This girl's dignity was clearly disregarded.

Margaret T. - Case Management I

Anonymous said...

I agree with her mother (From Idaho), it was extremely unnecessary for her to be restrained and especially arrested. The child has autism! And why did they hold her hostage (that's what it seems like they did)? For wearing a cow hooded sweater? Give me a break. The staff that held the CHILD against her will without even contacting or calling her parents should be terminated of their job.

Diana A. - Case Management I

AzureIceHime said...

The school districs should really take a look at how they deal with things. Maybe that child wears that "costume" as a security blanket and helps her interact with other and feel safe. I think using restrant on a child is jsut ridiculous and isn't needed. I think her mother should relly talk to the school and get them educated and get her child back in school.

Anonymous said...

First of all, arresting a child should never ever happen; especially if that child has a disability. The child was obviously just trying to express herself through her clothes, just like most of us do. I have a younger sister who is also on the autism spectrum, and she used to wear some pretty wacky clothes. She eventually grew out of it, but she never harmed anyone or herself in doing so. I think that the people who were handling the situation were not very informed on the child's disability and maybe did not know how to react. The story about the teacher is very devastating to me. It is very disturbing to think that a teacher would ever ask a child to remove their clothing. I think that if more people were aware of how autism affects a person's cognitive abilities, they might be more understanding and willing to aid them.

Mariel G.

Anonymous said...

A different attempt should have been taken from the school reguarding this child's autisim, segregation and restraint should have been the lest if not at all a thought towards this child. Her actions were only an effect to the mistreats of the school district and personnel. Ending in her arrest is completely insane and inhumane, for she is a child with a disability not a criminal. She should be aided and treated not punished.
Janet S.

Anonymous said...

This child first of all should not have been arrested she is just a child in elementary school, this probably frightened her and her classmates. She was arrested for wearing a cow suit, and by my understanding it did not harm her or any student. A different action should have been taken by the police and teachers to stabilize the problem.

Jessica A. M

Anonymous said...

I think it is scary to know that these teachers acting so unprofessional are actually teaching our children. These so call "professionals" really give the wrong message to our future children and gives the school district a bad reputation. It was cruel and unethical to discriminate and treat a child so cruel even after knowing about the 8year olds disability. The child was only acting in defense and protecting herself. Who else was going to stand up for her? The people who were suppose to take care of her neglected her from her peers and what seemed to be a punishment for her being a child with Autism. Arresting her was extremely inappropriate. In fact i think the teachers who participated inappropriatly should have been the ones who got charged with assault. Dressing up like a cow is only a sign of a child being a child. If the reason the school district allowed its staff to behave in such a way because they did not know how to approach the situation, or were not familiar with how to control the childs behavior and disability then the school district really needs to get well informed pronto. This kind of behavior from adult teachers is just disturbing and makes me worry about the future.
Angel G.

Anonymous said...

I think that the restraint against Evelyn was completely unnecessary. Clearly Evely was doing no harm by wearing a "cow costume".I think the staff has very poor communication. The staff should be have properly and kindly spoken to Evelyn in an understanding manner so as not to upset her.There should be atleast one staff member professionaly trained. In regards to the connecticut story, i find it hard to beleive that teachers can have the nerve to discrimite a child that is not doing any harm to anyone. I believe the school district was correct in terminating the teacher.
Tapitha L.

Anonymous said...

In the first case in Idaho the police should have never been called and the teacher and school plus the superintendent should have never done what they did. Besides the point that she had Autism she was only eight years old and wanted to be in a school event, was it so hard for the teacher to let her go ahead and be in that event. The teacher could have also pulled the girl to the side and tried to explain to her calmly and if that did not work all she had to do was call the little girls parents and they could have come and would have solved the problem. They had no reason what so ever to have to use restraint on a child. I thought what these school members did was just plain wrong. In Connecticut just firing the teacher was not enough I think. This was pure embarrassment and especially for a child who has Autism. People do not know how much this might affect the child, I would have gone to the extreme and in this situation called the cops and would have the teacher arrested and the parents should have pressed charges and taken the teacher to court for what she did to that 6 year old child with Autism.
R. Hernandez

*Jennifer* said...

I agree with everyone else, the 8 year old should not have been arrested. It is obvious that the teachers already “had their eye” on her because of her behavioral problems in the past and just over reacted because of her “cow costume” Still, that is not an excuse, they are supposed to be professionals, especially when working with children who are autistic. As for the Connecticut story, this is just sad to hear. How can any 30 year old person think it is ok to have a 6 year –old take of her shirt in front of her class?? These stories just go to show that there should be some sort of training for teachers about how to work with children with autism, since there are ignorant people out there that seem to overlook the obvious.

Anonymous said...

This is infuriating. I cannot believe that this is happening in our schools! What happened to freedom of expression? Does it stop with people with disabilites or what? The school should have just left the girl alone, she wasnt harming or insulting anyone, besides it was just a sweater. Restraining her was unnecessary, there should be more public awareness in autism because many people dont know about it.

The connecticut case is also a big shame, no child should have to face being humiliated in front of their peers.

Diana O.

Anonymous said...

As I read this, I was surprised to hear that a child, an 8-year-old girl was arrested. Restrained because she was fighting off the teachers that had restrained her. All this would not have happened if Evelyn wasn't denied the entry to the school event, because of what she was wearing. All of this could have simply been resolved if the teacher of the student had called the parents to have the student get a change of clothes. That's what they are suppossed to do, if the student is dressed unappropiately. I think they just went to far when they first separated her from the other student, let alone in a different room. Yes I understand that the girl had Asperger's syndrome, a type of Autism, but that is no excuse to treat her as bad as they did. I am pretty sure they were aware of her disability they should have known to make some type of accomadation.

In the Connecticut case, the teacher had no right to make a child take off any type of clothing just because the student was disturb or fixated by it. They too should have contacted the parents of the child. Isn't this a type of sexual harasment? Yes she should have been terminated and charged.

Joana J.

Anonymous said...

I agree with everyone else in that the 8 year old little girl should of not have been arrested especially if the child has a disability. The teacher should have not made such a big deal what the little girl was wearing as long as she was wearing clothing on her body. It does goes to show that teachers are not fully prepared to handle all different types of children no matter what.
Laura.C

TraceyP said...

I think that it was wrong for Evelyn Towry to get arrested. Who in their right mind arrests a child, especially a child with a disability in this case Autism. I personaly don't think there was anything wrong with her wearing a "cow" sweater to the school event, not unless the event was a "no sweaters allowed" thing but come on that is just a child wearing a sweater you can't consider that a costume, there are kids who were worse things than that and no one tells them anything! The school probably over reacted with the restraining thing but why couldn't they call the parent first?! And the other story, well the teacher in the first place should have respected what the student wanted to wear; there is nothing wrond with the child being fixated on a pattern. That is just plain rediculous. What is happening in the schools?! It seems like children aren't safe anymore, especially children with disabilities who get taken advantage more than regular kids.

Anonymous said...

It was very dissapointing to read this article. Not many people are educatated about PWD, however that gives them no right to deny an entry to a school event because of the attire. In elementary children are young and dress as they please, mix and match or wear uniform. I believe that was it was inapproriate to restrain the child and keep her away from other children.
Paula S.

Anonymous said...

what is wrong with this people. The kids do not differ right from wrong. How could they arrest this kids. I believe this was not professional thinking. It was not on the teachers perjuidice.

Alberto

Anonymous said...

First of all this girl is just an 8 year old child! And she was arrested?? That was a very wrong thing to do. Especially because she has Aspergers syndrome. There was no need for the teachers to restrain this child. She retaliated because she was being held where she didnt want to be. Anybody would do that, even children without disabilities, thats just how they are. But to call law enforcement on her?? No thats just not right.

Sarahn O.

Anonymous said...

Ok.. so there are two isssues in this one Blog.

The first one is about the 8-year old girl arrested. That is definitely cruel punishment for an 8-year old girl. She was probably scared and because of the Asperger's, she probably didn't understand what was going on. Heck, what 8-year old child really does know what's going on? What's wrong with wearing a cow outfit? This is elementary school for Goodness Sake! Yes, let's all institutionalize all the children to act, feel and be the same so no one is left out... please.. these are 8 year old children who just want to express themselves. Even if the outfit was inappropriate for the event, the school shouldn't have restrained her and make her feel threatened.

2nd issue- The teacher that made the child take off the shirt is definitely reeping what they sowed. How dare you humiliate a child like that. I'm glad the school district fired that teacher.

John-Robert I.

Anonymous said...

An 8 year old child should not of had been arrested only for fighting other kids. I am surprised that the school called the cops if i was that little girls mother i would of definately taken the district to court. Because they shouldn't of had restrained that child for wearing a cow costume and called on the cops on her.

Jeannette O

Anonymous said...

A child should never be arrested. That is the most ridiculous thing the teachers and police could have done. It's just a kid, and with a disability! They should have been more considerate of the surroundings.
Y. Torres

Anonymous said...

what the hec is going on with these schools or teachers!!! an 8 yr old arrested what are they thinking this is a cruel punishment. not even a 15 year old might get arrested for a worst issue. i understand the girl was fighting but what does she know at this age. kids are kids they dont really know much about what makes sense or not. i truly believe that some other alternative could have been used to calm her down.

jacklyn g.

Anonymous said...

Never in my life have I heard of an 8 year old being arrested that is just ridiculous. First of all the teacher should not be laying a hand on the child in the first place. There is no disrespect to teachers I have teachers in my family and I know what they go through but never ever are you suppose to lay a hand on a child for safety to yourself for not being sued. This child should not have been separted due to clothing because we all have freedom of speech and she is 8 what did she think was wrong with it? That is ridiculous the mother was right the restraint was more than unnecessary. As for the other teacher she was in the wrong as well. You should never ask a student to take off a shirt no matter what age. I understand the child was fixated but come up with another way.
Aaron G.

Anonymous said...

People should not take advantage and arrest a child with autism. A sweater cannot harm any one or can it ? This was totally unfair

Elizabeth M.

Anonymous said...

This situation could really have been resolved through educating the faculty and staff at that specific school about the implications the disability would have on the child. Knowing what to expect from a person with a certain disability surely prepares the sorrounding people. Whether it be teachers, family, the neighbors, or even the police. This situation really got out of hand, and really, it could have been prevent by just informing and educating.
-Sergio M.

Unknown said...

I have been teaching for a short period of time, but one thing I have learned is to have a great deal of UNDERSTANDING. In order to be an effective teacher and or any person working with people there needs to be a level of respect for the other person regardless of their disability, looks, ethnicity, gender, etc. This is a basic principle of life. This is a horrible lesson of how a person can influence the negative aspects of a person to come out in the worst way. Be adults.

Anonymous said...

I had mixed feelings when i read this article. Initially I was appalled at the idea of an eight-year old with a disability being secluded, restrained and arrested. As I have said before, I don't feel that seclusion is ever the answer, and an arrest seems unnessesary and harsh. On the other hand, this child does have a history of problematic behavior, and while i do agree that this is probably partially due to untrained staff, I feel that behavior expectations shouldnt be thrown out the window because of disability. I do think that every situation is different,as disability, but If we tolerate inappropriate behavior and use disability to justify it, we are setting the child up for failure.
MG GARZA

Aguy said...

While I agree that bad teachers need to be shut down, we also need to be careful about witch-hunts.

I went looking for the FACTS on the CONNECTICUT story and here is what I found:

Three months AFTER this all happened a government lawyer convinced the parents to file charges EVEN THOUGH they did not want to. The local police then had no choice but to arrest the teacher based on those charges. Later, the state refused to prosecute once all the facts were known.

Here are the facts (A) the girl was a 6 years old and autistic. (B) The girl was not "in class", she was alone with the teacher. (C) the girl was obsessively rubbing the fabric of her shirt against her skin. (D) the teacher had *daily* responsibility to physically assist the child to change clothes.

It is this last fact that tells the real tale because everyone who says this teacher is some sort of a perv needs to ask themselves why would she **need** to do this if she sees the kid sans clothes every day?

Well here is why:

It turns out the kid was taking a math test and if you know anything about autistic kids then you known one of the behaviors they have is a kind of OCD where they will become distracted by hyperfocusing on an object and be unable to do anything else.

The teacher in this case had 30 years of experience and used the well-proven technique of removing the distraction/focus object (which happened to be an article of clothing in this case) so the child could refocus. Again, there was no-one else in the room but the kid and the teacher who had legal authority and daily responsibility to help the child into and out of her clothes felt it was reasonable to do so in those specific circumstances.

A paraprofessional (teacher's aide) at the school entered the classroom, saw the student sitting naked from the waist up and reported it to the principal, who in turn contacted the child's parents.

Unfortunately the press had a field day and misreported a lot of things, including saying the girl was "in class", was being "punished", etc... Oh, and before I forget, the government lawyer who convinced the parents to pursue this were influenced by DCF -- the never-wrong guardians of perfect parenthood.

http://www.nhregister.com/article/NH/20100414/NEWS/304149994