SJ School Police Handcuff Autistic Boy

Jolie77

Jolie77

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SJ School Police Handcuff Autistic Boy

POSTED: 6:27 am PST January 31, 2008
UPDATED: 11:16 am PST January 31, 2008

The parents of an autistic San Jose sixth-grader are expressing outrage that their son was put in handcuffs because he would not leave a class.

Gunnar Moody, 11, told NBC11 that it all started when he was singing a song while doing sit-ups in physical education class.

"She was like, 'Gunnar, you have to leave now.' I didn't do anything wrong. Why do I have to leave? Everyone else is being loud; why do I have to get in trouble?' Then she said it three more times and then she handcuffed me. And it was kind of humiliating because it was in front of all those kids and she was, like, picking me up and dragging me out," Gunnar said.

Gunnar's parents said what happened at Bret Harte Middle School is unacceptable.

"The bottom line he's in phys ed. And all the kids are making noise yelling, screaming and talking and he gets singled out for going 'la-la-la?'" Michael Moody, Gunnar's father, said.

His mother, Laura Moody, asked a campus police officer if Gunnar had threatened anyone.

"I specifically asked the officer, 'did he threaten you?' She said no. I said, 'did he threaten any other child?' And she said no. I think there should be a better line drawn on what kind of force to use. And especially with children with disabilites," Laura Moody said.

NBC11 obtained a copy of Gunnar's behavior support plan that outlines what to do if he misbehaves in school. Using physical force is not one of them.

The San Jose Unified School District issued the following statement:

The officer's actions helped to maintain a safe atmosphere for the other 30 students in the class.

The use of restraints is extremely rare and would only be used when deemed absolutely necessary by the officer for the protection of the student and his other classmates.

Gunnar's parents plan to meet with school district leaders Friday to talk about what happened.

Gunnar is suspended for three days.

Asked if he want to go back to Bret Harte Middle School, Gunnar said, "No. Because the kids will like pick on me and stuff. Because that happened."
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SJ School Police Handcuff Autistic Boy - News Story - KNTV | San Francisco

Wow, This is unbelievable. Why did the autistic boy deserve to be handcuffed? Since it was noted that he did not act out in a violent manner, there was no reason for the school official to get him handcuffed just because he was singing a tune in physical ed. I do realize that the child was asked to leave the classroom and he refused but to a point where he had to be handcuffed? Was that necessary? Children/people with autism are usually very sensitive with surrounding noises. They usually find something to tune it out in order to make it through. Singing was something that the boy was doing to tune out the noise in the gym.

This type of situation is unacceptable in any educational facility. However, it seems some pieces of the story could be missing or distorted by one side or the other. Otherwise there is no justification for anyone to have used force/handcuffs on this child.

I don't see any thing wrong with singing unless the school official found it to be annoying? Who knows? But, still, to me - That is outrageous and that situation could have been approached differently.
 
That's absurd! I realize that many of us educators really need more training in Austism, myself included.

Still, that was extreme and way over the line.
 
LakeTahoe said:
WAY BEYOND THE LINE!!!! :pissed: I would do something like his mom did!
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Congratulations to his parents and Gunnar Moody! Good for him! :applause:
He is above the law! I hope his son would enjoy during
suspension time! :)
 
*Speechless*

What an unbelievable !!!

Autistic children need special training instead of being treat as crime... *shake my head disgusitly*
 
If the kids pick on this kid about this and they don't teach the kids not to do that, I'd like to handcuff the ones who did this and throw away the keys. :nono:
 
again, we do NOT have all of the facts. we only have gunnar's side of the story. from what i read (and I do have extensive experience with autistic children) he is high functioning enough to know what he was doing and what the consequences would be. there are many children out there that will use whatever excuse they want to act out as much as they want, they feel invincible and immune to the rules the rest of society has to follow. if he CHOOSES not to follow the rules, he has to pay the price. i think his parents are doing him a great disservice by allowing his behavior and openly scolding the authorities for doing something about it. they have just told their son that he can get away with anything he wishes and there will never be a consequence for his behavior.
 
He was not threaten to anyone but just to tune out the noise that surrounded him. I have seen Autistic kid in the past and noticed that he was tune out when there was noisy around him. I cant blame him for that. I just let him tune out so it was very interesting how he can handle the situation without hurting anyone. I also enjoy being with him cuz he was such a good kid.

Sadly he is now in the foster home due to unfit mom. :pissed: at his mom.
 
We don't know that is why, just because the kid said that was the reason doesnt mean he hadnt done something else that we are unaware of. It would be unethical and illegal for the schools to publicize anything regarding the student's "qualifying condition". So, all we are left with is the word of an embarrassed kid who is trying to take the attention off himself and his behaviors.
 
Eve said:
again, we do NOT have all of the facts. we only have gunnar's side of the story. from what i read (and I do have extensive experience with autistic children) he is high functioning enough to know what he was doing and what the consequences would be. there are many children out there that will use whatever excuse they want to act out as much as they want, they feel invincible and immune to the rules the rest of society has to follow. if he CHOOSES not to follow the rules, he has to pay the price. i think his parents are doing him a great disservice by allowing his behavior and openly scolding the authorities for doing something about it. they have just told their son that he can get away with anything he wishes and there will never be a consequence for his behavior.
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:gpost:
 
:Off-topic: There is a true story called "After Thomas" about a parent who struggles to meet the challenges of their son's autism. I really want to see it, so I can learn more about children with autism.

BBC America - After Thomas
The Hollywood Reporter


(Forgive me Jolie) :back to the topic:

This is unbelievable!!. I agree with Shel90, the school needs qualified professionals to assist teachers and staffs the extra training on how to handle children with special needs especially for someone with autism. I also think the school needs to pay close attention to the situation instead of jumping the gun as usual.
 
That's absolute nonsense!

It's so disproportionate to handcuff kids. Good Lordie!! Why do the schools put law enforcement police involved? It seems to me schools can't handle it's own situation. This child did not hit anyone, or use a weapon on anyone or threatening anyone, what's the purpose on calling the cops? I think school staffs are really over-reacting big time. :ugh3:
 
Oh yea i read this one you show me last night and make me :pissed: and they have no rights do to him *smh*
 
Eve said:
again, we do NOT have all of the facts. we only have gunnar's side of the story. from what i read (and I do have extensive experience with autistic children) he is high functioning enough to know what he was doing and what the consequences would be. there are many children out there that will use whatever excuse they want to act out as much as they want, they feel invincible and immune to the rules the rest of society has to follow. if he CHOOSES not to follow the rules, he has to pay the price. i think his parents are doing him a great disservice by allowing his behavior and openly scolding the authorities for doing something about it. they have just told their son that he can get away with anything he wishes and there will never be a consequence for his behavior.
Click to expand...

You're right - We don't have the whole story to this article but however, handcuffing the child was not necessary. It could have been resolved in another way. Just because he is a high functioning autistic child doesn't mean that he is relinquished for his behavior. I don't think the parents were making a lee-way to show that he could get away with anything. The parents were making a point to see that this kind of alteration was not acceptable because the boy did not even portray in a violent manner.

In this article, it states -

NBC11 obtained a copy of Gunnar's behavior support plan that outlines what to do if he misbehaves in school. Using physical force is not one of them.
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Gunnar's behavior support plan states that physical force was not on the agenda. That makes me think, why was it resulted into this even if the guideline states that it isn't to be occurred?

Angel said:
:Off-topic: There is a true story called "After Thomas" about a parent who struggles to meet the challenges of their son's autism. I really want to see it, so I can learn more about children with autism.

BBC America - After Thomas
The Hollywood Reporter
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing the link. I'm more inclined to want to see that and relate to the parent's challenge of struggles to meet the needs of their son's autism. As for myself, It is never easy at all. I am still learning it day by day through myself and through my son as well.
 
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