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Subscribe to RSSSAN FRANCISCO -- A special education teacher in Redwood City has been hit with a $1 million lawsuit by the mother of a 5-year-old autistic child for allegedly kicking and starving him, according to reports.
Nadia Cortez sued the teacher, Alexia Bogdis, 44, Superintendent Jan Christensen, and other school district officials and aides who allegedly saw the abuse but did nothing to stop it, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
See the report at NBCBayArea.com
Bogdis is accused of pulling the hair of Cortez's son, kicking him in the stomach, and preventing him from eating his lunch or drinking water while a teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School, the lawsuit alleges.
Cortez's son is a "nonverbal autistic boy who did not have the capacity to report the abuse," the newspaper reported. Bogdis is accused of abusing other students from 2010 to 2012.
An attorney for Bogdis denied any wrongdoing.
It appears the school district at least believes something was amiss: it put Bogdis and six other employees on leave. Bogdis is also facing trial: she pleaded not guilty in March in San Mateo County Superior Court to "five counts of child cruelty and four counts of battery for allegedly withholding food from Cortez's son and slapping and kicking another 5-year-old boy," the newspaper reported.
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If everything is true, this teacher of special ed kids needs some serious jail time and her teaching license revoked PERMANENTLY! Warnings should be sent to every state so she just doesn't move on to another school where she will abuse disabled or special needs children again !. She is a disgusting human being and those aides that stood by and did nothing are just as bad.
I agree with your comment Marilyn. We have 4 Autistic Grand children and I could not even imagine. She does need some serious time that is for sure. There is something wrong with this teacher.
There is no Excuse for any adult to abuse any child at any time for any reason. If you cannot act like an adult when dealing with children do not get a job dealing with children.
IF CONVICTED, What she needs is to be placed in prison for LIFE!! If she did this she woulld have shown that she cannot be in society and is a threat to those around her especially children and anyone that may be weaker then her.
Personally if convicted i would rather see her executed as she has shown that she is a threat to society especially the not only children but the least able of all children to defend themselves. No point in paying millions to feed and care for her.
Four autistic grandchildren, please stop your family from breeding or pay for them yourself.
Why dont you try to do this teachers job, in addition to probably being falsely accused for the money she has to put up with people like your family pumping them out and dumping them on the system
from another article local to the area
sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/06/01/BA491ORE67.DTL
Bogdis and six other employees are on paid administrative leave from the Redwood City School District. An independent investigation determined that the six others "knew of possible abuse and did not meet their legal obligation to report it," the district said. They face disciplinary action, officials said.
The six employees are considered witnesses in the case and will not face charges, prosecutors said.
nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Alexia-Bogdis-Charged-With-Child-Cruelty-138803889.html
Investigators believe Bogdis slapped a student, twisted a student's wrist, and kicked the back of a chair, causing a desk to move forward and strike a student, Guidotti said.
She is also accused of depriving a child of food and kicking a child in the stomach, Guidotti said.
No children were seriously injured, Guidotti said.
Police investigators believe the victims were two 4-year-old boys and that the crimes occurred over the past few months.
Todd,
As a Previous Special Education Teacher... I find you ignorance appalling. She and her family do pay for them.
I have done this teachers job, and never in a million years would I harm a child. If the school district put her on leave, then they believe that she did this. This child was non-verbal, so there has to be further evidence of this CRIME. How is this woman having four autistic (could be asperger's) grandchildren in her family, mean that they are pumping and dumping them on the system. Get your head out of your a**.
well, if she is tenured like the NJ teacher, she will just get transferred to another school to continue her abuse on some other unsuspecting child. GO UNIONS!!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/23/stuart-chaifetz-father-wire-son-records-teacher-abuse_n_1447330.html
Where is his million dollars?
What is a kid who can't speak doing in an ordinary public school classroom? Doesn't excuse the teacher, but wish the article would have answered my question.
Things were better when I was in school (graduated '85). Classrooms were filled with students capable of earning As, Bs & Cs w/o extra help. Special ed students could try the classes, but if they couldn't keep up, back the the catchall special ed classroom (which is a lot more economically efficient than mainstreaming - no wonder taxes are so high, and schools have to cut so much. It's not like these kids are going on to college or are going to discover a cure for cancer - most would struggle being a Walmart greeter.)
The only kids worth extra tax dollar investment are the gift and those capable of AP classes and passing the AP exams.
Todd....this will probably be taken off quickly but let me summarize my feelings in just four words.
You are an ass.
Autism has genetic links according to scientists
At $35,000 a year, minimum for the rest of each of thier life, there is no way the family has or will pay for them.
bethis
Pay for their care or shut up, minimum 4 million.
If it's hereditary, stop breeding after the first one is diagnosed! In our overcrowded world, why make more kids who are going to be a lifetime burden to taxpayers? For god's sake...if you TRULY want children...ADOPT! If all you can produce is autistic kids, the gene pool won't miss your offspring.
Abuse is a crime under any circumstances and if quilty this teacher should be punished. However on defense of the system as a whole a public school is no place for a child who is severly handicapped. Our school system just isn't set up to deal with such situations correctly, the result of a half baked attempt by the government to find a place for such children in the most convienient way possible. This was done only because of the realization that a cheap babysitter was needed for families with handicapped children so they could be productive members of society. This was a cheaper alternative than supporting the whole family because they had to stay home in order to watch their handicapped children.
Four autistic grandchildren, please stop your family from breeding or pay for them yourself.
Why dont you try to do this teachers job, in addition to probably being falsely accused for the money she has to put up with people like your family pumping them out and dumping them on the system
todd green,she never said the grandchildren were hers (genetically).maybe one of her kids adopted special needs children.and fyi,sometimes austism doesn't get diagnosed for a year or so.so quit trolling you insensitve turd.
spiceman
they had 4 kids and people like me are paying for it and there less and less of us, see the California budget crisis.
If you think this sort of pump and dump stuff is OK why don't you volunteer 8 hours a day of every day at a care center?
People like you just want people like me to shut up and pay for whatever the consequences of your choices are. It not just the repeated breeding of genetic defects its all the unwanted children as well.
It almost over the math will take care of it.
It is more prudent to avoid the disaster than to suffer thru it, but that requires intellect.
Todd - you are just ignorant. Autism is NOT hereditary and they do NOT know what causes it. It may be caused by a mutation in the childs gene's or by environmental factors but it is not simply passed on from parents to children. Try researching things before you make idiotic comments on a forum. Also, most parents of autistic children do NOT receive any sort of financial assistance from the state/government. I have an autistic son and take great insult to your insinuations about autistic parents. Where the hell are you pulling you imaginary financial statistics from? Plus, why is it any of your business if an autistic parent chooses to care for their child on their own no matter what the expense? I'd much rather care for my son than a ignorant jacka$$ like you.
As for GK-298121 - the child was most likely in a public school but in a specialized classroom for students with special needs. Being non-verbal, he would not have been in a general education setting. That said, what gives you the right to decide who's education is more important? Just because my son may never be a rocket scientist doesn't mean his education is less important than anyone else. There are plenty of other 'normal' children who end up jobless sponging off of welfare. Many autistic children go on to lead somewhat normal and productive lives with jobs and are productive members of society. They are happy, they have families who love them, and in life, that is what matters. Just because a child is "AP" doesn't mean they will produce anything worthwile in their lives. There are plenty of worthless 'smart' adults in this world...just look at Todd Green.
FYI
Scientists Unlock Groundbreaking Clues in Understanding Genetics of Autism
Scientists have long known that people with autism have brains that work differently -- their brain activity doesn't follow the usual pathways for speech, thought or social interaction. Still, the lingering question has always been: why?
New research published in the online medical journal Nature today offers the best evidence yet that a major part of the answer is genetics.
For the first time, scientists have identified specific genetic mutations that lead to specific abnormalities in how brain cells communicate and carry messages in the brains of those with autism.
"The genes that were discovered appear to be involved in the development of the frontal lobe of the brain ... that is, involved in complex behavior such as social behavior and also abstract thought," said Dr. Geri Dawson, chief officer of Autism Speaks and co-author of the study. "So it helps us understand why people with autism have difficulty in the area of social interaction -- and also why they have a tendency to be so concrete and literal in their interpretation."
Autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs social interaction, communication and behavior, tends to run in families. According to the National Institutes of Health, families with one autistic child have a one in five chance of having a second child with the disorder.
Scientists have long suspected a genetic underpinning for autism, but have had difficulty finding the link. Previous studies in families with identical twins have found that when one twin has autism, the odds are relatively strong that the other will too.
But the latest research -- one of the largest studies to date -- goes beyond twin studies, using cutting edge technology to examine and compare the DNA from more than 12,000 individuals affected by autism. Scientists pooled data together to gather a sample large enough.
Click Here to Visit the ABCNews.com OnCall+ Autism Center and Get Answers From Top Autism Experts.
Research Holds Promise for Future Cure
Erica Romano of Brooklyn, N.Y., volunteered her family for the study. As a mother of two sons with autism, Romano has strong convictions that autism involves genes.
"I have a third cousin who has Aspergers and a first cousin who has PDD/autism," she told ABC News. "I'm really hoping that this study sheds some light on the genetic factor."
By comparing the DNA of those with and without autism, researchers were able to identify several genes related to autism. Scientists say that autism, a complex disorder, could be caused by as many as 50 genes.
The findings point researchers in the right direction toward developing drugs to treat the disorder.
"What we're discovering in this study is that these genes appear to be affecting similar biochemical pathways in the brain, and so then, if we can develop drugs that can help to repair or restore that pathway, this eventually could be extremely helpful as a treatment," said Dawson.
For parents like Romano, the studies hold promise to change the destiny of those with autism by finding a cure. While it won't come overnight, this research opens the door to understanding the genetic mysteries of autism
Also more than 80 percent of Autistic kids will never be independent. Guess who pays.
The parents have another desease it is called denial.
A study by "nature today" doesn't qualify as solid research for the argument of autism being hereditary as you said. It may have a genetic component, but the genes can mutate in utero or after birth. BIG difference from being 'hereditary' as you claim. Plus, there is no way to tell yet whether the genetic mutation was caused by an environmental factor. Studies may point to 'genes' regarding a cause of autism, but what we are discussing here is if there is a direct link to autism being hereditary and the answer is a resounding no.
PS - quoting an article is never a good idea. In a few more months someone will release a conflicting report based on yet another study and it will be splashed across the news as the 'new answer to autism'. Just research it online now, you will find a 50/50 split between those real researchers who believe it is vs. it isn't.
Eye color/ hair color/ height/ skin color = hereditary
Autism = not hereditary but may be caused by a mutation of genes
"Research suggests that the development of autism is rooted in very early brain development. However, in most cases, no one cause can be identified. Research has identified several genes that can cause autism in and of themselves. These account for about 15 percent of cases of autism spectrum disorders. Research has identified more than 100 genes or gene changes (mutations) that increase the risk that a child will develop autism. In most cases, genetics alone can't distinguish why one person has autism and another does not. Gene-environment interactions appear to be at play. When scientists use the term “environment,” they are referring to a wide range of nongenetic factors. Those most associated with increased autism risk include advanced parental age at time of conception and prematurity with very low birth weight. Other possible environmental risk factors include maternal diabetes or infection during pregnancy and certain birth complications, particularly those that may involve oxygen deprivation to a baby’s brain. Autism Speaks continues to fund a wealth of studies on the causes of autism, including research on gene-environment interactions that may increase autism risk."
I have an autistic daughter and she means the world to me. It hurts when people say awful things like they are some sort of bane on society. Obviously people who say that do not realize that people with autism are people too and can contribute joy in the lives of others. I thank God every day for my daughter- she taught me to be a better person.
@ Jamie Kelly...seriously??? 4 autistic children??? what the H*ll is wrong with you people??? Why didn't you stop at ONE???
And by the way Todd- your philosophies sound a lot like the 3rd Reich. Kill off and phase out anyone who's not genetically perfect! Scary stuff.
3xys1xx,
Some forms of autism is known to be hereditary and is passed on. Fragile X can cause autism, and it affects boys more so then girls. Girls can have it, but can show almost no symptoms where a boy will be severely autistic.
Take a read of this article on MSNBC...
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47630513/ns/health-mental_health/t/new-drugs-fresh-hope-autism-patients
"Fragile X syndrome, the most common form of inherited intellectual disability and the most common known genetic cause of autism."
BTW, the article is about drug testing that's really help some with Autism, which is great. But as you'll read ... Autism can be genetic....
One other thing.. eye, hair, skin and a bunch of other things are/were caused by gene mutations. And mutations happen all the time. Not all mutations are necessarily bad, like gene mutations that can cause Autism.
While Todd is a bit extreme and my friend has an autistic brother, we could potentially reduce the amount of autistic kids in a way that is a bit in the gray area ethically. People could get medical tests done to determine if the baby will be genetically "impaired?" and abort it while it is still a fetus. I think it is a legal option as long as you figure out before 20 weeks. I'm not necessarily in support of it, but if we really wanted to do something without finding a "cure" there is always this route which I'm sure some of the people saying "why four?!" should agree to.
how dare you!!!!
having a GOD complex today?
GOD gave me all my children. having had 7 pregnancies and only 3 live births, i'd say i received quite a gift.
oh, wait.............did i forget to mention my oldest is autistic? to bad he wasn't diagnosed until he was in his 20's. perhaps i can stuff those other 2 back in and explain to god that some people don't want me to have anymore because they may be slightly imperfect.
god knew full well what he was doing when he gave me my oldest son. he made me a mother, he made me fierce and protective and determined. and he gave me 2 other son's that are just as precious. god knew i was capable of endless, unfathomable love and my sons were all gifts.
he can't have them back and you can't take them from me.
you had all better pray and pray hard, because when you reproduce you take the same gamble that we all do, 10 fingers, 10 toes, and everything in the right place and order in between.
some of these comments are so insulting and out of line it is painfully obvious that you lack even the basic skills of parenthood. the world is full of monsters and i can only imagine that yours lead the pack.
lest we forget, has anyone ever heard the term "savant" ? now where do you suppose they come from? and what are they capable of?
karma people, karma.:)
Moderator UNCOLLAPSE TODD GREEN'S POSTS
He might not be very nice and likable in what he says...but We might not like what people have to say but that is what America is about and that is what Newsvine is about. How would you like it if the article about what happened to this child was censored and never saw the light of day because it did not go along with the accepted line? That is what you are doing, and it is a discredit to both you and Newsvine.
So...how many scientific papers have you read that address the question of how likely it is to have a second child with autism given that you have one already? Do you know what the probability is? I highly doubt it.
Do you have any idea how many great things have been accomplished by people with autism? Are you aware that there are Nobel prize winners with autism? Who do you think you are to decide who does and does not have a right to exist? Who are you to write off a person's entire life as useless merely because they have autism?
Good Grief! what a bunch of ignorant, uninformed comments! I guess "Autism Awareness" month isn't doing enough!
"Autism" is NOT genetic. At most 15% of cases share a common gene distinction. The vast majority of genetic "differences" found have been "de novo" - spontaneous mutations that are NOT inherited from parents. That's why all clues now point to environmental impact.
Anyone who "graduated back in '85" pre-dated the END of institutionalization for special needs persons and the BEGINNING of inclusion because the cost to house disabled people who could be productive members of society was far greater. The most recent statistic on autism (and that is still data gathered 4 years ago) is 1 in 88 children, and 1 in 49 boys. YES, MANY students with autism DO go to college, they DO become self-supporting and DO have the ability to do something besides hang out in the "special" room. They will NOT be able to succeed if lunatics who punch, kick, hit and abuse them are permitted to have access to them.
Cameras in the classroom, lunchroom, schoolbusses and playgrounds - time to be the eyes and ears for the non-verbal children who trust us to care for them.
...and more education for the crazies who think autism won't ever affect them or their families and have hate in their words when they post comments to articles like this one.
Has anyone on this thread of filth even looked up the true definition of Autism? It can be anything from poor memory to speech impediments to all out Autistic disconnection. Everyone here it seems suffers from one of the angles of the Autism Scale. So everybody, please stop breeding unless you intend to get educated and force your children to become educated members of a society instead of spolied lazy lap rats.
You would think the Sandusky case might change some laws on accountability in reporting abuse. If this teacher did abuse this child, and people knew and didn't report it, it is just not right. Laws are needed now .
The laws are already there teachers are MANDATORY REPORTERS. They are required by law to report any abuse or suspected abuse.
What if none of it is true and the woman is just suing to get money?
absolutely Jeanette. this is almost as good as the guy that died having a threesome and his estate sued the guy's doctors and was awarded $3,000,000. any coincidence both plantiffs hispanic?
Well, suing alone may cause one to think it is for the money only, but apparently there are criminal charges pending too! Suing may be the back up plan as was the case in the O. J. Simpson debacle. Couldn't get him criminally, so try civilly.
Jeanette-767450 The abuse of Autistic children is not new and unfortunately with the Teacher's union in place to defend this scum and others like her it is really difficult to get them under control. I have Teaching Credentials for middle and high school in three subjects and just going through the program was enough for me to decide that a career in teaching was not for me. This is not to say that there aren't good teacher out there because there are many but unfortunately there are many bad ones as well that do not want to do the work, they just want a place to show up to five days a week so they can get a check and benefits. The sad part is that with all the harm they cause it really hurts the image of all teachers and this is when the good ones suffer. I know this because one of my master teachers was the union steward for the school and I can not think of a more repugnant person in my life. She is another reason I decided against the profession. To her it was all about the power that she could amass as the steward so she could bully all the other teachers in her department into doing what she wanted as per the union. In a word she as like a gangster mob boss enforcer to keep everyone in line; I really grew to hate that person.
@German"Gem": Take your racist Nazi crap back to Germany.
Suing just for the money is a concern that I have. I question what kind of evidence the plaintiff has. If her child is non verbal, the main victim in this won't be able to testify. If all these accusations happened, one would hope that at least one of the others who were suspended would have turned in the teacher. I think this case may be hard to prove, but at the same time the emotional aspect may be the most damning evidence even though emotions are not supposed to be taken into consideration by a jury. If these accusations are true, other students (both past and present) will start to report the same things and all involved should rot in prison for a long time.
Damn this is sick. As a society, have we really gotten to the point where we need to have cameras and microphones in classrooms to help families protect their kids?
Yes.
Whatever it takes.
Important points: IF it is true...and yes, cameras could protect the teacher from false accusations as well as help prove when abuse does happen. I feel sorry for the teacher. What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Her teaching career is over, even if she is cleared of these allegations.
Why should she be different than anybody else? These day the internet convicts before the police finish their report.
This article is still very green.....waaaay too many unanswered questions, and a shortage of solid facts. It's a bit early to light fires, locate some tar, and feather....and find some rope. Best to just pull over to the side of the road, sit down, and have a beer! News at 11!!
Agreed. How does she know this is exactly what happened when her son is non-verbal? Reserving judgement.
Article states the abuse was witnessed by 'other school officials'.
linked other articles from the Local area, with a bit more information in post 1.6
I would be happy to have this teacher as my student. I would "do unto her" so she can get a hands on learning experience. Maybe a few doses of an eye for an eye would end similar incidents. I can think of very few things more heinous than crimes and violence against the indefensible. Especially acts committed by those who hold a position of trust.
What you get from your UNIONIZED teachers. And Bogdis is put on leave rather than being suspended without pay pending trial. This is what's wrong with the political/union hacks that run our education system. We need more than law suits, we need to get rid of these kind of teachers and adminitrators. We have kids graduating high school who can't even look at a watch and tell you what time it is. Great education system; thank you teacher unions and corrupt adminitrators of school districts and state education departments.
Inner city schools are full of the children of illegal parasites, no amount of money has solved these baby sitting services for illegal aliens and their children.
They say the kid is non verbal did they try Spanish?
Any parent who could, got their kids in private school long ago.
Try teaching in one of these so called public schools
People like my wife, not in the union, try to help these people get @!$%# on by them and the pimping politicians.
It just going to get worse
well you have the unions protecting the worthless of the teachers and an army of lawyers dying to sue the school system. it's okay it all comes from the dimishing tax payers
More child abuse stories. Just makes me sick. I'm gonna go hurl.
Will someone please explain why a person who hates children or at least dislikes teaching special ed children - does it? You can choose to teach anything, or not teach at all? Why choose a job that you hate teaching children you despise?
The reason these types of people end up teaching is that they graduate in the bottom 10% of their college class and cannot get any other job so they end up teaching.
Actually not. UWM had a higher base GPA requirement for education than the BA/BS program. Plus just graduating from college will not certify you for teaching below college level. You must graduate the teaching program . Teaching 5 yr olds requires child psychology and other special classes fro primary school teachers.
Abuse from any hand to a child is unacceptable...
but MSNBC you leave way too many holes in this report.
How did the child tell the parent if he is a non-verbal autistic?
Did the parent find out from another teacher telling?
Did the parent walk in on abuse?
Is it because 1 parent at the school is already in a lawsuit and its easy money?
It is probably because the other kid told his mom and said something like she hit Johnny too.
The clues for abuse were probably marks on his body (bruises), weight loss, changes in disposition and maybe some soreness to some parts of his body that could not be attributed to everyday kid roughhousing/playing. Oh....just because he is non-verbal doesn't mean he can't use sign language. I hear a lot of special needs kids who are non-verbal or speech delay learn sign language to communicate while they are working on their speaking skills.
Oh...there are also communication devices and devices like the ipod(touch)/ipad that have communication apps for the disabled. I have seen children as young as 2yrs old use these.
I'm trying not to cry. If true, an autistic child who is unable to speak being terrorized and abused by a teacher is beyond abhorent. I'm hoping it isn't true; and if it is, that the teacher not only loses her license to teach, but serves prison time in a facility where she can find out what abuse feels like!
It saddens me that so many people are ready to assume the worst. Just because a lawsuit is filed, does not mean this teacher is guilty of anything.
Well Kathy did you automatically convict Zimmerman or Bales? Neither of them have been tried yet but the whole country was saying they should be hung on the spot. Or is it just because she is a teacher and you like teachers?
Yes, I also find this story leaves too many questions. How did the parents find out about this alleged abuse if the boy is nonverbal? Did the teachers and aides who supposedly witnessed it report it? If not, how would the parents know this happened?
And while withholding lunch from a child is certainly nothing a teacher should do, it is hardly "starving" him. There seems to be something fishy about this suit.
If you want to free up court time with less law suits, just make it legal to beat the crap out of child abusers. That is really what they deserve anyway. We can all see how tough they really are.
food stamps and welfare aren't enough for some people
I wouldn't sue, I'd freaking kill the teacher. Lord help anyone that does that to my daughter.
If these accusations are true its a matter for the criminal courts, not a civil suit.
This is in no way anything other than a criminal case first of all! civil case to be followed. When he goes to prison they should tell the other prisoners that he is a child molester , so they can have their fun with him.
Except the He is a She
'It appears the school district at least believes something was amiss'
Really? And how could they possibly arrive at that conclusion??????????
This so-called teacher needs to be thrown in jail and the key tossed away.
What is with so many children being born with autism??
I firmly believe that autistic and retarded children should not be put in mainstream classrooms; they should be in their own special ed schools.
And 4 grandchildren with autism?? WTF??
most autistic children are not put into a mainstream classroom. They are put into specialized autistic classes with a special education teacher trained to meet their needs and other teachers aids. They do benifit from interaction with 'normal' children. It enhances their social skills and even their speech.
1 out of ever 54 boys born in the US have Autism. That means, in a typical school grade level, statistically there would be 3-4 boys with Autism. It is a part of every school system and they have programs just for these kids. It is my understanding that this teacher wasn't part of a mainstream class, but was a special education teacher which makes the allegations more horrible.
Well Marie what type of school do you think Einstein should have gone to? Some children with autism have mensa level IQ's and the ability to handle not only the regular curriculum but advanced studies that most of the "normal" children cant.
Your suggestion to segregate them away is sickening.
How about instead we place all children in the most appropriate setting using the guideline of the least restrictive environment to determine the setting instead of letting narrow minded bigots like you determine it.
I have a mentally disturbed daughter.Your troubles are just now begining.School was ok with her it was when government tells me she is an adult and can make her own decisions that trouble really started.Their privacy rights are protected just like everyone's so there comes a time that you can no longer protect them.This is so sad I had to set back and just watch things and still do she is now 43 years old.during her life I have seen her bullied; made fun of; people didn't want their children to be friends with her.She has been abused; physically and mentally and there is nothing I can do just watch.Like I said your troubles are just now starting sorry to say.
First, if she is guilty then it will be found out and I hope she gets her just desserts. But my contention is below:
For all of you inconsiderate jerks on this discussion..You have no clue how it feels to be the parent of a child with autism..you don't know the pain it causes you to find out your child was diagnosed with this disorder. You have no clue how hard some parents (some of whom are teachers themselves) work with their child and mainstream them because they believe in their children and all children. As for these kids never going anywhere as far as jobs..do some research some of the world's most brilliant people will be on the autism list. As for people having more kids..who are you to judge and know if it would happen again and if it would have, I would still feel very fortunate for the wonderful child that I was given. It isn't a death sentence, it is a gift of wonder, amazement and truly learning about the good things in this world. So for all of you self righteous people who think that our special needs kids need to be in special rooms, I'll be kind and say go take a flying leap, our world would be so much better without any of you.
Since the kid is non-verbal, ...........................
Have as many kids as you want just dont ask me to pay for their "special needs".
Autism is genetic, see my above post in you want the science instead of denial.
I don't understand how on one hand you say " You have no clue how it feels to be the parent of a child with autism..you don't know the pain it causes you to find out your child was diagnosed with this disorder." yet you go on to say " As for people having more kids..who are you to judge and know if it would happen again and if it would have, I would still feel very fortunate for the wonderful child that I was given."
I will make you a deal, I wont "judge" if you pay for the consequences of your choice.
I am of course, an inconsiderate jerk because I don't want to fund your denial.
Right on Todd!!
genetic.........hmmmmm
gosh, i wonder how it is that there is no autism in my family anywhere and yet, my oldest son certainly has it.
as to paying the consequences of my choices, how do i do that according to you? beyond being a good, solid, determined parent for a life time. how do you propose i pay? with heart ache? grief? sorrow? because from the sounds of it i am not allowed joy, happiness, fulfillment.
i pay my taxes the same as you. are you more entitled to the benefits of that than i or my son are?
i would never call you an inconsiderate jerk. no, i have a fuller and far more colorful vocabulary than that.
i bet if you use your imagination, you could not even come close.
it's people like you that make life harder than it needs to be and you need to learn to live your own life and let others lead theirs.
Hey Todd, I have a child with autism, and I've never asked you for a darn thing! Let's hope you are fortunate enough to have healthy children, and that they turn out to be more tolerant and kind than you are