It happened again, this time on school busses in Broward County, Florida. Two separate incidents of abuse toward a child passenger. In one, the driver of a special bus actual hit an autistic child and another child with a broom handle when the autistic child made too much noise. In the other a girl was actually sexually molested by a group of boys in the back of the bus while the driver continued driving, despite the girl’s cries for help.

Both incidents were caught by the bus cameras. But even more culpable, in my opinion, are the transportation supervisors (and who knows what other school officials) who knew about these events for several months before reporting them. Why do school personnel have a double standard when it comes to mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse?

My understanding is that they are obligated, by law, to report any suspected child abuse to Child Protective Services? Yet, time and again, we hear stories of abuses that occur on school property, and rarely is CPS ever involved.

The irony to me is that through the Attachment & Trauma Network, we have many families who have been subjected to abuse investigations because their children will go to school and report strange things, have self-injurious marks, or even outright falsely accuse their adoptive or foster parents of abuse. (Don’t get me wrong – adoptive and foster parents can abuse their children…but apparently school personnel are doing it, without consequence at an alarming rate!)

As the mother of a traumatized child, nothing makes me angrier than adults abusing children. Except for one thing…other adults trying to cover up, deny or hide the fact these adults abused the children…especially children with disabilities. Meanwhile, the vast majority of the public believes that our schools are safe places, or at least that the biggest threat to our children are from Columbine-type attacks of troubled students. Who suspects the teachers, bus drivers or aides?

I would never make excuses for any of these abusers, but I do have to say that I know, probably better than many people, how much a child with severe disabilities can push your buttons. I know what it’s like to nearly snap. I also know that when I get to that point emotionally, I had better get some help to take a break and regain my composure.

If a person can’t handle the noises made by an autistic child, then they flat out shouldn’t work with the child. If you are working with someone who is about to lose it with a child, intervene. And if you’re one of those administrators who is tempted to ignore incidents of abuse and not report these atrocities…well, I have nothing to say to you, except I hope there’s a special place in you-know-where for those of you who would consciously do such a thing.

UGH!

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