Down Syndrome child, corporal punishment & school.. need input.. long

[npmommie]

Ive never had issues with school before. He is getting a good education and I love his teachers.

Really my my question was directed towards Downs parents and what their reactions on spanking a child with Downs and what the medical community and experts thoughts on it are.
If I bring this before the school board I would like to have my facts straight and thought Downs parents would have some answers.
I know what I think about the spanking issue in general and where to find info on that.

Let me get this straight you are only concerned with them spanking a child with Downs not all the children???
It is wrong for ANY child to be spanked. IMO
and a school has NO right to spank any child imo, and I assume a parent has to give permission for this??
you may be hitting your head on a wall, cuz it sounds like parents in your school district are giving their permission for the principal to hit their kids.
sad

 

[harleyquinn]

I thought it was public. Most people don't realize it's still legal.

Anyway, here are my thoughts. 1.The parent of the child has to be aware and agreed to let this CP letter happen. So I don't know how far you can get complaining about that. 2. No other child should have the opportunity to witness the punishment (even by just hearing it) That is wrong and you should be able to do something about that.

Now I'll see if I can find any research for you...

 

[npmommie]

Corporal punishment in schools remains legal in 21 U.S. states and is used frequently in 13: Missouri, Kentucky, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida, according to data received from the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education and cited in the report.
n addition, special education students with mental or physical disabilities were more likely to receive corporal punishment, according to the ACLU and Human Rights Watch.


wow, such cultural differences in the South as opposed to up here in the North,

 

[Jenvenza]

I have a friend whose son has Down Syndrome and I cannot imagine a school spanking him!! I am not a spanker and dont believe they should do it in schools - but especially not a Down Syndrome child! How awful!

 

[Holly]

What the OP said was:

Oh just for FYI.. you have to sign a letter to opt out of corporal punishment in our parish.. you can imagine what I signed.

Parents have to sign a letter to opt out of corporal punishment. So if they are neglectful (or lazy/ forgetful) parents, they obviously wouldn't send a letter.

 

[happygirl]

I have a friend whose son has Down Syndrome and I cannot imagine a school spanking him!! I am not a spanker and dont believe they should do it in schools - but especially not a Down Syndrome child! How awful!

Why is it awful?? Kids with Down Syndrome are capable of understanding right and wrong.

 

[ilovejack02]

Let me get this straight you are only concerned with them spanking a child with Downs not all the children???
It is wrong for ANY child to be spanked. IMO
and a school has NO right to spank any child imo, and I assume a parent has to give permission for this??
you may be hitting your head on a wall, cuz it sounds like parents in your school district are giving their permission for the principal to hit their kids.
sad

NOOOOO I am concerned about spanking in our schools.. with ALL children.
What I was asking for was help finding out about how spanking affects disabled children.. I would address that issue also !!
It is a parish wide law.. and as with most laws things can be changed, I just was hoping a parent of a Down's child would answer me and guide me in the right direction.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Down Syndrome is hugely varied. Some children have IQ's that are very close to "normal" and they develop just a tiny bit behind their "normal" peers. Others can be profoundly delayed.

We don't know the whole story about WHY the child was being paddled, but obviously the child's parents chose not to opt out.

As far as HOW the child was being spanked, that certainly sounds like cause for concern.

 

[Cindy B]

There are some states in the US that still allow spanking. I have to say that Southern states still allow spanking. I know they do in Georgia--and I guess the OP's state.

Do they require parental permission for spanking? If the form was signed and agreed upon by the parents, I would assume that students and parents know the consequence.

Just to play Devil's advocate, are you certain it was a child with Down's Syndrome? Do you know this child personally? If the parent did not opt out, it is the rule of the school and/or district.

 

[ilovejack02]

Why is it awful?? Kids with Down Syndrome are capable of understanding right and wrong.

I would think they can .. but what standards are they held too.. etc etc.

Doesnt Downs affect mental capacity?

 

[Hillbeans]

I don't know what a "corporal punishment letter" is, or what this poor child did to "deserve" to bit hit at school, but if anyone ever put their hands on my child that way there would be hell to pay.

I completely agree....i've never heard of such a thing, EVER! What kind of parent would sign a letter letting teachers spank their kids at school. My god, this is so messed up.

I would say something for sure, whether it be to the school board or to someone who will listen. This is not right. I can't even begin to imagine how scared that little girl was, and having an audience is just really wrong.

I am not a spanker and it bothers me to see it when others do it as well.

 

[ilovejack02]

There are some states in the US that still allow spanking. I have to say that Southern states still allow spanking. I know they do in Georgia--and I guess the OP's state.

Do they require parental permission for spanking? If the form was signed and agreed upon by the parents, I would assume that students and parents know the consequence.

Just to play Devil's advocate, are you certain it was a child with Down's Syndrome? Do you know this child personally?

Actually yes I do know her. I know her name, I know her teachers . She is without a doubt a child with Down's

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

There are some states in the US that still allow spanking. I have to say that Southern states still allow spanking. I know they do in Georgia--and I guess the OP's state.

Do they require parental permission for spanking? If the form was signed and agreed upon by the parents, I would assume that students and parents know the consequence.

Just to play Devil's advocate, are you certain it was a child with Down's Syndrome? Do you know this child personally?

There is a rare form of Down Syndrome where the child presents with the physical appearance of Down's but is not mentally impaired.

 

[Holly]

Why is it awful?? Kids with Down Syndrome are capable of understanding right and wrong.

Kids with Down Syndrome can also have impaired cognitive ability and developmental disabilities.


Going out on a limb here, but smacking them probably isn't the best way to teach them.

 

[crashbb]

If the parents signed this "corporal punishment letter" than I am not sure what complaining to the school board will do. The parents are allowing this for THEIR child, you aren't allowing it for YOUR child.

Speaking to the school about the fact that your son (and any child in the office) could overhear things, is something you could speak to them about.

 

[happygirl]

I don't see why people are so bent aganist corporal punishment?? My whole generation got spankings when I was in school when they needed it and no was worse for it. It usually only takes once to get a swat at school and you learn quick to act right.

 

[daisax]

The national media might find it a juicy topic to tackle.

Seeing as how it's 2009 and not 1909.

 

[ilovejack02]

There is a rare form of Down Syndrome where the child presents with the physical appearance of Down's but is not mentally impaired.

I dont think this is the issue.. she is always with an aide.


I know the parents must have signed it.

I give up trying to explain what I need.

Heading to the disabilities board with my question.

 

[happygirl]

Kids with Down Syndrome can also have impaired cognitive ability and developmental disabilities.


Going out on a limb here, but smacking them probably isn't the best way to teach them.

Do you know this child IEP plan?? If not then you can't say what works for her can you

 

[Cindy B]

I found an interesting article on CNN regarding corporal punishment in schools.


Corporal punishment in schools remains legal in 21 U.S. states and is used frequently in 13: Missouri, Kentucky, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida, according to data received from the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education and cited in the report.

The highest percentage of students receiving corporal punishment was in Mississippi, with 7.5 percent of students. The highest number was in Texas, with 48,197 students.






http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/08/20/corporal.punishment/