The Bizarro World

The Bizarro World originally appeared back in the late 50's in Superman comics. It described the world where the fictional character Bizarro, Superman's polar opposite, lived. In the Bizarro World of Htrae (Earth spelled backwards) everything is the complete opposite of what happens here on Earth. Any Seinfeld fan would also remember this concept, as it was reintroduced in a 1996 series when Elaine met a group of new friends that were the polar opposites of the Seinfeld characters. These bizarro characters were kind, considerate, law abiding, and wonderful citizens looking out for the common good of everyone. They were not selfish, shortsighted or hyper focused on themselves, as the Seinfeld characters often appeared.

The Bizarro World came crashing into my memory as I followed the school district's public comments over the last week or so. I realized that our administrators must be living in their own little Bizarro World!

First let's describe the characters in this Bizarro World. Our Superintendent and Board of Ed President have described Israela Franklin, Director of Special Education as, "a successful, experienced, dedicated and caring professional and a very important part of our district's leadership team." They went on to state in this Bizarro Letter (available by clicking here) that they have confidence in her abilities and skills and view her considerable experience to be a great asset to Cherry Hill. They have also stated, "It would be a considerable loss to our district if Mrs. Franklin decided to leave for any reason." Keep in mind, the Bizarro World is the exact opposite of reality!

On 11/29/07 our school district decided to publish some sort of Fact Sheet on their website. Ironically, they titled this, "Separating Fact From Fiction." Remember in Bizarro World, things are the complete opposite! So what this translates to on Earth is: "Co-mingling Fantasy with Fact." The comments from the school district appear in red below.

"On Tuesday, the media devoted significant attention to an issue that has been referred to by others as the “quiet room” at one of our elementary schools. "
Here on Earth, it was actually the school district that opted to refer to this as a "quiet room." Parents called it exactly what it was, a padded closet. Some parents even referred to this as a padded cell! In any event, it was a closet and not a room at all!

Here is a picture of the actual padded closet that our bizarro administrators are calling a Quiet Room:

Here is an idea of what our bizarro administrators are describing:

The photo pictured above is an actual Quiet Room located in another school district that a reader past on to me. Notice that the room is more cheerful and actually contains seating (beanbag chairs) educational materials (books). The room can also be used for small group instruction and even as a reward for some children.

Although in Bizarro World, parents may be against the use of Quiet Rooms; here on Earth, most parents are accepting of this practice when it is used in a positive fashion, by a highly qualified teacher, that is specifically trained in the use of positive interventions. In fact, here on Earth, I have stated repeatedly that a quiet room was used for my own son as a positive intervention. It was used under the direction of a highly qualified and well trained teacher that realized it would be advantageous to alleviate sensory overload, a common source of behavioral meltdowns. Quiet Rooms are not a problem when used appropriately and no parent in Cherry Hill ever stated that they were a problem. It is when our Bizarro Administrators manipulate the purpose and want to use closets in place of rooms and then want to use them for the opposite meaning -- as an aversive, that this becomes problematic.

Referring to what we know was a padded closet, the Bizarro School District has stated: "This issue was addressed and resolved more than a month ago."

This is absolutely not true! Had the issues been resolved, or even discussed with any degree of honesty by school leaders, this would not have received the media attention that it did. Parents want answers because these are important issues that impact our children. But make no mistake, the problems go far beyond the padded closet. Parents are upset about the cuts in the special education budget that have impacted programs, services, therapies and support services that our special needs children require. The use of a padded closet was just the tipping point! Parents are also very concerned with the level of competency when it comes to our special education leadership. In just about every public statement made by our administrators, it has become more apparent that they do not understand the nature of the disorders for which these children suffer.

Our Bizarro Administrators have referred to this padded closet as an area used for "small group instruction."

Obviously, no one is going to believe that! There was no desk, no chair, improper lighting and absolutely no educational material to be found in this padded closet! It was in violation of the state's requirements to qualify as an instructional area, did not meet building codes to even be considered a room; and certainly would have violated our fire codes! Also, we have resource rooms in most of the schools and other areas that are slightly more acceptable for "small group instruction."

In addition, the school district has stated: "The space was created this fall by a team, which included building staff and a parent, for a very specific case related to student safety. The room was used one time this year in a crisis situation, with prior parental consent and with supervision. There was follow-up notification to the parent immediately following the crisis situation."

In direct contrast, the school principal has admitted that this closet was in place last year and was used on at least one occasion last year. The gym mats may have been a recent addition, but the closet was used previously. Parents are not interested in the "one" occasion that the district claims it was used this year. If the parent gave consent, than that was between the parent and the school district.

The school district has also stated that "the room was never used for punishment or disciplinary measures." Okay, in their own example, a child was having a meltdown, was in a crisis situation and the child was placed in this closet. (with or without a staff member is almost irrelevant.) This was a disciplinary measure! Not knowing the details of the situation a reasonable person could still come to the conclusion that if the child had been compliant, had followed staff instructions, had not acted out or had not reached this level, s/he would have never been taken to this closet. Therefore it was a form of punishment and/or discipline. It was clearly a response to the child's behavior, which makes it retaliatory and punitive.

To say that any child would go from typical and acceptable behavior to a crisis -- leaves out a great deal of information. Having more experience than I really wanted with an explosive child, I can tell you first hand that a child does not go from typical behavior to explosive behavior for no reason at all. Something triggers it. Something that usually involves the non-existence of positive interventions, a poorly written or poorly executed Behavioral Intervention Plan, or an IEP that was not focused on the child's skill deficits. I do not know the child to which the district is referring (and find it appalling that they even mentioned this other situation) but I would venture to say that this situation was avoidable had the school district provided appropriate support services and positive interventions.

Our Bizarro School Officials have also stated: "The room was dismantled more than a month ago. Following a Cherry Hill Special Education PTA meeting in October, district administrators directed that the gym mats be removed from the room and that the building principal attempt to identify a larger, more appropriate space. "

Administrators were aware of the padded closet before it was brought out at the SEPTA Parent Forum. Our Special Education Director must review IEPs and a copy is kept on file in the district's special education office. So it is a fact that they were previously aware of this room! They even went as far as defending the use of this padded closet at the SEPTA Parent Forum in a room filled with about 50 parents, including the President of the Board of Education. Referring to the padded closet when parents raised this concern, Mrs. Franklin admitted that "these areas are in other schools and that principals are actively seeking space in their buildings to set up more areas like this one." So why did they suddenly order that the closet be dismantled? Because it was brought to the attention of the general public and was widely criticized! If the parents that spoke about this at the Parent Forum had not raised the issue, the padded closet would still be there and would still be in use!

At the same SEPTA meeting Mr. Gallagher stated, "Sometimes this room is necessary when children are having meltdowns. These are children that would have normally required helmets years ago." That is a clear indication of the fact that society has evolved enough to recognize the dangers of seclusion and aversive techniques, while our current administration has their head in the sand!

The school district has also stated the following in their public comment: "There does exist, in any school, the periodic need to move a student to another place for small group or individual instruction/support."

We have already established that this padded closet was not conducive for "small group instruction" because it did not meet even the most basic requirements. Look at those pictures again! This was not used for students having a good day that just needed small group instruction. It was used for students having a horrific day that our administrators decided to make worse by the use of a padded closet! These children were having meltdowns as a result of sensory overload or skill deficits.

"Children may need more time in a quiet environment to complete a test in accordance with their IEP or 504 accommodations."
This was not an area used for testing. Remember, no desk, no chair, inappropriate lighting!

"Children may have behavior plans that allow them to move to another room to enjoy a reward for staying on task."
If we are "rewarding" children by placing them in a padded closet -- we clearly have a problem! "Wow Johnny, great job. Here's your reward -- Go bang your head against the wall in the padded closet!" C'mom folks, is anyone buying that this was a reward!

"A student may be exhibiting signs of escalating anxiety, at which time the teacher and/or assistant accompany the student to another room to engage the student in private conversation about how to re-enter the classroom and become re-engaged in the general activities."
Are we expected to believe that placing a child in a padded closet, against their will, will somehow reduce anxiety? Would any child be capable of engaging in a reasonable conversation with a staff member if they are being held against their will in a padded closet?

"A small reading group may use the space to obtain extra help."
Are we now describing this padded closet as a potential resource room? There was barely enough room for one student and one staff member in this closet! How would you accommodate a small reading group? Also, I do not think that a flickering overhead fluorescent light would be a good choice for a reading room! There was no educational value involved in the use of this padded closet, no matter what kind of spin they are putting on this!

"These and other examples are tied to situations unique to certain programs and to students in the context of these programs. "
Ah, finally an answer! Since other children were involved in this program the padded closet may have been utilized for these other children. If they are stating it was part of the program -- then parents have every right to raise concerns!

"Parent consent is in the form of parent participation in meetings with IEP teams... as they outline and discuss plans for students' programs case by case."
Interesting that they have mentioned the very IEP meetings where parents have tried to address the need for the Functional Behavioral Assessments and positive interventions that the the district needs to implement. And there in lies the problem! IEP teams are making decisions based on what suits the school districts budget and not on what meets the child's needs.
Did you ever attempt to get a needed program or support put in place? Case Managers are being micro-managed by this administration and deny critical services on a regular basis. It is obviously a lot less expensive to bolt gym mats to the walls of a closet than it is to provide the required programs and support services that could truly help the child make progress!

Here are some other interesting comments from our Bizarro Administrators:
"Individual or small group instruction may occur in the principal's office, the guidance office, the nurse's office, the library, or in another space."
So again, why the padded closet? If we have all of these spaces available, why are they stating that this closet was necessary for small group instruction?

"Any space in any of our schools now used for individual or small group support or instruction meets the criteria for an instructional area (e.g., minimum size, ventilation, floor covering, lighting). "
Sounds like a bit of double talk to me. Perhaps the legitimate spaces used meet the requirements for an instructional area -- but if the padded closet was used, as they stated "for small group instruction" then it was a violation of those criteria.

"The district already uses positive behavioral approaches in designing behavior plans for students." Hmm, the term "positive" seems to be subjective these days! I guess in Bizarro World, where things mean the opposite -- seclusion and physical restraint are positive interventions.

There is an interesting letter that appeared on the school district's website dated December 3rd that has been signed by both David Campbell, Superintendent and Anne Einhorn, BOE President. The letter clearly states that: "the room did not meet the criteria for small group instructional space." However, in the previous statements made by administrators they claimed it was used for small group instruction!

The letter goes on to state, "Upon learning of its existence District Director of Special Education Israela Franklin and Assistant Superintendent James Gallagher immediately directed the building principal to dismantle the room and attempt to identify a larger more appropriate space. That was accomplished."

That is not at all what happened! I was at this meeting and clearly heard Mrs. Franklin and Mr. Gallagher defending this padded closet and pointing out that there were others being set up throughout the district. Mrs. Einhorn was at the meeting too, and heard the very same comments!

This letter was written to support our Bizarro Director of Special Education in that it states, "We would like to affirm our support of Mrs. Franklin ... she is a very important part of the district's leadership team."

I have contacted our BOE members to learn of their view on these issues. I also contacted Mrs. Einhorn. Her response was rather interesting. Mrs. Einhorn has stated, "The board of education asked the director of special education last December to evaluate our district program for special education and focus on the board of educations own board goal in the evaluation process. That board goal is: "Review special education programs to ensure that every child's needs are met in accordance with the Individual Educational Program (IEP) and in compliance with state mandated program requirements". Our special education director is still evaluating our district on behalf of the board of education."

It appears that we are asking the rat to guard the cheese! Only in Bizarro World!

*Originally published in the Courier Post, Autism Blog, Kathi Magee: On Autism 12/04/07.