School Employees Caught Physically Abusing Boy with Autism
According to KHOU, five employees at Lane School in Houston are put on administrative leave after a surveillance camera reveals disturbing footage of child abuse.
Employees Throw Boy in Box, Strike Him
After her 8-year-son with autism returned from school with marks and bruises, Barbara Faulk was told by school officials that another child had physically accosted her son. However, the school’s surveillance video showed a different story – several school teachers and paraprofessionals violently handling her son.
The video shows her son acting up and a paraprofessional angrily placing the boy into a time out enclosure, grabbing and pulling him by the wrist. KHOU reports that a teacher joins in by grabbing the boy’s other arm, dragging him across the floor and helping to toss him into the enclosure.
Once her son was placed inside the time out box, the video revealed a paraprofessional physically striking the 8-year-old. According to KHOU, Faulk says at this point in the viewing of the surveillance video, a school official burst into tears.
Aldine ISD placed the five employees involved in the altercation on administrative leave while the incident is under investigation, reports KHOU.
“They don’t have the temperament to work with children”
Faulk believes Aldine ISD should fire the five employees involved, claiming they should not be working with children after the abuse her 8-year-old son received. The Arc of Greater Houston, an advocacy group for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, says teachers need better training when assisting children with special needs.
Child Abuse Statistics
The following information on child abuse is provided by Childhelp, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse.
- Child abuse of a physical nature is the most prevalent type of abuse (28.3%), followed by sexual abuse (20.7%).
- Adverse childhood experiences, including abuse and neglect, are linked with a range of long-term health impacts, including:
- Ischemic heart disease (IHD)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Liver disease
- Other health-related quality of life issues
- Every day in the United States, five children die due to abuse and neglect.
