Would you defend a special ed student if he assaulted you?

Question

I work at a high school with special ed kids (14-22 years old) and today one of my male students hit me in the back of my head (close fisted) while I was feeding another student. My back was turned to him. He hit me hard enough to knock my head forward and hit the top of the table. This kid is 18..tall and strong...huge hands. He's also mentally disabled and does not talk. To him, hitting, punching, grabbing and pinching of staff and other students is a game that's played every day of the school year. His parents know of this behavior and do nothing to support the efforts of the educators.
While I'm able to defend myself, I worry about the other students who are in wheelchairs and unable to cry out or defend themselves against attacks.
Back to the question...While my head hurts like h*ll, I actually feel sorry for him and find myself defending him. My husband on the other hand believes it's an assult no matter what the mental capacity of the person is .
Comments?

Answer 1

If he can be helped, then yes, you should defend him, as one of your students. Part of helping and defending him would be teaching him about consequences - you say that his parents won't help with that, and I don't have the slightest notion of how to go about fixing that situation, or getting him help in spite of his parents. For advice on how to deal with or around recalcitrant parents, you should probably talk to the student's physician or your colleagues, or someone who knows more about this sort of thing than strangers at Yahoo!Answers. :)

If he can't be helped and there's nothing you can do, then your situation seems to require a balance. You should keep his condition in mind and remember that there wasn't any malice behind it (if it's a "game").

In the first case, you should defend HIM (for his potential, I suppose), but you certainly shouldn't have to defend his ACTIONS, no matter what.

Answer 2

I've taught students with disabilities for 32 years at the high school level and boy can they get huge! I agree with both of you. Yes, it is an assault but not what the law considers an assault. However, this young man does require intervention to help prevent him hurting others. We have used restraint such as weighted vest in these cases that have worked well. We're talking very gentle but enough to let the student know that was not allowed. It sure would have been easier if this had been dealt with by the parents at a much younger age. This is the world of education that we face in this century. My husband doesn't understand either. That's why he doesn't teach.

Answer 3

You sound like a wonderful loving teacher.You have to go by facts here because emotions make us do the wrong thing if not thought out.I have known mentally handicapped people and they can be strong and unpredictable.You do need to consider your safety and the safety of your other students who are vulnerable to an attack.It doesn't mean you let him down, you are leading the child into a new area of his life that sounds like is very predictable,(in a home with other mentally challenged men). Compassion is wonderful but is it the best way to help him.You are also responsible for the other children,you don't want them to get hurt.God Bless you.You have done all you can I'm sure.

Answer 4

I think that certainly the other students and staff should be protected and feel safe, but you have to keep in mind that the kid who did this doesn't know what he is doing. He simply doesn't understand the reprocussions. I personally would defend his action but try to make sure that something was being done to try to prevent it. Kudos for working with these kids and understanding that it is not their fault that they have issues. Try talking to the principal or look into something to add to his ARD program that might help change this behavior.

Answer 5

well first of all u are a good person, not many people can do your job !
the boy is mentally disabled so like u said he cant help it > i don't think its assault because he doesn't know what he is doing, u need to sit down with his parents and explain to them the need for their support. I'm sure when u tell them its risky for the other kids they will try to be more supportive.

Answer 6

Even though he may not have meant any harm, he does sound dangerous. He could cause serious injuries to someone. Shouldn't the safety of the other students come first?

Answer 7

if you can not bear the heat get out of the kitchen
your practicing a profession no more dangerous than that of a traffic police,nurse,and I doubt if the parents are capable of supporting your/school efforts.even they probably need counseling.thesis can be written on this topic,first sentence said all that matters

Answer 8

no way not ever