Not a comment on your post or opinion,
@maconrich but just a comment in general about this quote from the MSM about this case.
It's actually impossible to have all those diagnoses because they have competing symptoms. In order to qualify for ODD, you can't have DMDD (disruptive mood dysregulation disorder). In fact, the criteria for ODD specifically states to make the diagnosis only when the patient doesn't meet criteria for DMDD. Same with Intermittent Explosive Disorder. You cannot have both IED and DMDD though you can have IED and ODD.
So this tells me that either a number of people have been treating this young man without a shared opinion on what his diagnosis actually is, or he's being treated by someone who isn't following the stated criteria for diagnoses, or his diagnosis has evolved over the years and old (inaccurate) diagnoses haven't been dropped from the medical record.
Regardless of reason, he needs a thorough mental health workup to actually pinpoint diagnosis/diagnoses so he can be properly treated.
Thank you for your input and information. It's always appreciated. And I hear what you're saying, and absolutely agree he needs a thorough mental health workup to pinpoint diagnoseses, and so he can be properly treated.
I could see the mother listing things he's been diagnosed with over the years, and I can imagine that some of them could have changed - or other things might have become more consistent and persistent over time. Maybe some have been helped with more with medications while others haven't been. IMHO it makes sense that the parents would hold onto his medical and educational records - and would think they have a very large file for each.
But I don't see how medications can alter the fact that he has the emotional maturity of a 4 to 6-year-old -- and IMO someone functioning at that level should not be put in prison. Perhaps, as you said in another post, a group home would be more appropriate. I agree that he could be (and has been) a danger to others and to himself. But I don't believe he should be treated the same as someone considered "normal" in this situation -- or in almost any situation.
It's also my opinion that this family tried to get help for their son at every step along the way, and that the system (health care, educational, insurance, etc) failed them and failed their son. The group home's insistence on putting him into public school, the teacher and paraprofessional disregarding his IEP and implementing a new and different policy - especially with regards to something that the parents, the group home and the IEP stressed was a trigger for Brendan. The combination of those things, IMHO, led directly to his aggression and the horrible events of that day. Maybe no one realized he would become violent, but they did know he would have an adverse reaction regarding the Nintendo Switch (and I'd guess there were a few other things they knew would also trigger him).
He seemed to have been doing surprisingly well when the IEP was followed --- and it IS required to be followed, at least until the team meets and another is made (and agreed on). Unless I'm reading it wrong, It sounds like he had been mainstreamed into at least one regular class, another aspect of his IEP, and that he was doing ok there too.
I'm not going to blame the paraprofessional or question her credentials. IMO she was literally doing her job and following the instructions of the teacher. She was the victim and was put in a terrifying situation that no instructor should ever be in. (Although too many are no matter the grade or type of students they're teaching.)
And, based on my experience, it sounds like the IEP was designed properly - meeting the requirements of the state and school, and detailing a plan that would best meet the needs of the student. Why was it disregarded? Why impose change on students that tend not to respond well to change? Or, at the very least, a change that was not approved in a student's IEP? Sadly, IMHO, it's almost too easy to see what led up to this violent reaction.
When dealing with individuals with the conditions and mental development of this young man, are the disabilities to be tossed aside as not being relevant? Even though they impact ever minute of said person's life? Are they to be tried as an adult, and potentially put into prison, when they aren't even capable of living life on their own? Yes, this 17 year old is physically large, but mentally he's at the level of a 4-6 year old and is severely autistic (plus has a host of other problems that could at the very least aggravate or intensify his condition).
Until it was closed in the 1980s, due at least in part to horrifying conditions and the mistreatment of patients, children (and adults) like Brendan (in FL) would have been put in Sunland Hospital: a place that lives in my nightmares even though I was only there once while in my teens. The de-institutionalization of mental health facilities resulted in even fewer options for those with severe disabilities - those who require round the clock care and close supervision. Leaving primarily group homes.
And, also in FL, I studied, what was then called Exceptional Child Education and worked in a class for Autistic students (ages 6-14). I was never injured or felt like I was in danger, but I have known teachers who were (and they didn't all work with special needs students). So I do have personal bias when it comes to this case - for Brendan, for the paraprofessional, the teacher and the parents. And for all like them who are in similar situations.
I don't believe, however, that my education or experience gives me more insight or knowledge, but it might be partly responsible for my belief that Brendan's IEP should have been followed, and that children like Brendan do not belong in prison.
Sorry for the length of this post. This case has hit me hard emotionally, and I have so much sympathy for the paraprofessional and for Brendan and his family. And, as I stated above, for all others who are in similar situations.
www.britannica.com
