turret syndrome?

Question

My Son’s Teacher is use turret syndrome as a joke
Stating my son shows signs of it in class and tells him this in front of everyone.
What can I do about a teacher that makes fun of disabilities even if he dose not have it
And yes I have it on tape I compliand and now he told me my son will get it more. - he even stated that his opinion is better than facts
is there anyone that can help?

Answer 1

That's completely unprofessional and you should go to the school district.

I don't think there will be legal ramifications for the teacher. At least it's not very likely.

However, before revealing the tape, I'd check on the legality of taping the teacher's comments. Some states don't allow for people to be taped without their consent. An illegal tape recording can't be taken into consideration for any legal action, and then it will be one person's word against another's. Unless you have witnesses?

Answer 2

Well my first thought is that as his parent, I would probably want to pull my son out of the class. Not having all the facts of course, but from what you say here, the teacher sounds verbally abusive. I would not want my child in that person's class. Or really anyone's children. But my first priority of course would be my child! I would try to have him pulled out of the class immediately and put into another class, have him work as a teacher's aide, study hall, anything!

Then probably my next step would be to try to have some kind of disciplinary actions against the teacher so that he would be removed from the classroom and hopefully the school. He doesn't sound like he should be teaching actually! If he is doing that to your son, I betcha he insults and abuses other kids and has done so in the past, has anger issues, etc.

Btw, the other poster is right about the tape possibly being a 3rd degree felony if the teacher didn't agree to being taped (and in that case I don't know that I would use it as evidence because you don't want your son possibly being charged with a felony) or at least use it discreetly or then have a lawyer involved. If the teacher agreed to being taped, then it should be OK, but I'm just a layperson (saw someone charged with it when I was a legal assistant)....Good luck, and I hope this works out, because my son has some Tourette's symptoms, and I would hate to think of a teacher like this ever being one of his teachers! Yikes!

Answer 3

I would say go to the principal and make him aware of the situation. If this does not help go to the school district and the board of education. Far as the tape conversation I would not reveal it just yet. It can work to your advantage later on. I would be concerned to because if he is making fun of your child whether he has that syndrome or not is wrong. Because all he is doing is lowering your child self esteem and this can hamper him later on in life. You would think that he as a teacher and someone in authority would no better than this. If you don't get any satisfaction and your child remain with that teacher you should consider a transfer to a different class or school. But this is wrong.

Answer 4

Here's my suggestion--take this case to your local school board--but let your school principal know you are doing so. Don't JUST talk to the principal, though--he/she isn't likely to back you up against the teacher (there's exceptions, but not many).

But before you do, get in touch with a local disability advocy organization ( you can find them in the phone book), one that focuses on Turet's if possible. Enlist their support in demanding the school board take action to improve teacher awareness and sensitivity--they should be willing to do this; at the very least, they can give you more information to make your case with.

The key is to push for awareness training/programs/whatever for your child's teachers. There is no excuse for your teacher's attitude. Unfortunately, people with disabilities are still considered safe targets for verbal abuse, derogatory humor, and outright discrimination--just as African-Americans and women once were. What your son's teacher is doing is just as bigoted and ignorant--and should be grounds for termination. That isn't likely, but you can push this enough to make a difference.

BTW, I suggest your son not challenge this teacher directly. I personally would admire him if he were willing to do so--but remember, this teacher is abully and a bigot. If your son confronts the teacher, you can expect retaliation in the form of harassment, "discipline" for supposed infractions of school rules, and/or lowered grades. So talk to your son--make sure he lets you fight this battle and does nothing more than recount what he has heard the teacher says when and if asked by school officials.

Answer 5

Go to the school's admin offices and bring the tape with you. Let them know that your son is being ridiculed in front of his classmates and that you will bring suit against the school for it if it does not stop immediately. Do Not Give the tape to the school! Make a copy if you must, but you need the evidence. This is slanderous. That teacher is not a doctor, he has no right to be spreading his opinion.

Answer 6

I think I'd only just start by going to the principal asking for a meeting between the teacher, principal, and possibly either the school psychologist (if your school has one) or the guidance counselor. Then to the PTA to see if they could help with anything - and then on to the school board.

That is completely unnecessary and definitely unprofessional. That seems to me that it would be a sort of child abuse. It must
be very hard for you to send your child to school everyday. School is suppose to be where are children are cared for, taught, and safe. We shouldn't have to worry about our children while they are in school. We should be able to trust those who are caring for our children - while we cannot. Our children go to school to learn and get an education - not be verbally abused. Good luck with this situation and I hope that it gets resolved very quick (especially for your sons sake).

Answer 7

File a written personnel complaint with the Superintendent of the school district, including a copy of the recording, and send a courtesy copy of the letter & recording individually to every member of your school district's board of education. Make sure to specify that this conduct is discriminatory towards the disabled and violates both the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Also, because you are basically advocating for children handicapped by Tourette's by pointing out this discriminatory conduct, you and your child are protected against retaliation by Section 504, as well. Advocating for children with disabilities is a "Protected Activity" under Section 504 and ADA. You should probably point out that you are aware of this in your letter to the District and advise them against any further retaliatory conduct against your child.

If complaining to the District doesn't accomplish anything, you can file a complaint with your local office of the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. You can locate your local office on the OCR web site. (See Sources, below.)

You also have the option of bypassing the complaint process and suing them in federal court for their retaliatory conduct, but that's a really involved and arduous process and I don't recommend it unless there is just no other way to get them to back off.

Answer 8

I would contact the superintendent of your local school district about this because that teacher is totally out of line and needs a serious reprimand for this kind of foolish and unprofessional behavior. Don't mince words let them know if it continues you will take steps necessary to put an end to it yourself such as hiring an attorney should that be needed. I'm sure the teacher will get what they deserve if you let the superintendent know how mad you are .

Answer 9

First of all, it's Tourette's Syndrome.

Second, you need to compile your documentation and make a formal complaint about the teacher to the principal. Request a meeting to be held with the teacher, you and the principal in order to address your concerns and have them resolved.

If they are not resolved to your satisfaction, appeal the matter to the Superintendent's office and if it still doesn't get resolved, then appeal to the local school board.

Might I suggest that you consider using a spell checker and/or having someone proofread your material, as it is full of spelling and grammatical errors. This could hamper your efforts to get a satisfactory solution in this matter, as it is difficult to take complaints seriously when the complaint is not written with attention to detail.

Good luck.

Answer 10

Who cares about teachers joking about stuff....look at Larry the Cable Guy...he jokes about all kinds of disabilities. If your son's feelings are hurt tell her not to be picking on your son. If it doesn't stop then, go to the school board. They'll put a stop to it.