Posted by turbo (anonymous) on June 9, 2009 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

How do you keep clothes on a child when he constantly removes them. Maybe super glue wiil help. Mom must have been aware of him removing his clothes and kept him home. MRDD has been a wonderful group for children and adults. They have a difficult time with the group they work with.

Posted by MEinOH (anonymous) on June 9, 2009 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No one has asked for my two cents, but I like to give it anyway. If children have so many learning/behavioral problems that they are not able to function in a school setting, then it should be the parents responsiblity to have someone teach the child one on one. You cannot expect teachers to spend their entire day devoted to one child, (no matter what type of school it is) without allowing those teachers the right to hold the child down when needed, etc. That sounds like something terrible to do to a child, but anyone who has experience with children with certain types of disabilities understand the need for this for the safety of that child, themselves, and others. Sad situation all around.

Posted by andieleffingwell (anonymous) on June 9, 2009 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Growing up in Lawrence County and being the daughter of a High School Principal in Lawrence County, I more than understand the challenges that the education system holds for Administration, Teachers and Parents. Being blessed with 3 children with no learning disabilities gave me only the knowledge of “regular classroom structure” personally. Several years ago I went to work with children at risk and then had an opportunity to work in Lawrence County with children “in the system” with special needs. During this work in Lawrence County I became familiar with the Lawrence County Board of MRDD. From Tri-State Industries to the Open Door School I had no idea the work that was being done. It earns your utmost respect to see the people at MRDD working through the challenges of a daily routine serving children and adults that need this structure more than I or most of you could ever understand. In learning about the recent lawsuit against MRDD and finding out the impact it could have on the Open Door School I can't keep from commenting. If there ever was a school that Lawrence County can be proud to say they provide their children with special needs and with school personnel that cares about a human being and their ability to have quality of life, it is the Open Door School. It is my challenge to any and all of you that have not experienced the work done there to find out for yourself what is done in that building and by the entire MRDD organization before you pass judgment on anything or anyone. I am sure that every child that attends the school has challenges to overcome and that a perfect day is not possible in an environment like the Open Door School. I am also quite sure the perfect day doesn’t happen in our Public Schools, but the children who attend there are not facing the same challenges. My support of this organization will stand firm as will my respect for the people who work there. It is a shame that paperwork is more important that quality of life.

Posted by JenniferJ24 (anonymous) on June 9, 2009 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Everyone is so money hungry these days...How will filing a suit help this child any, other than fill his parents pockets...and they may not have had another choice of School but they didnt HAVE to enroll him there, maybe the mother should have taught him at home if she felt she had no other choice and why does it matter what they are teaching the child to read as long as they are trying to teach him, I dont feel the principal done anything wrong by carrying him to her office naked, if the child can not keep his clothes on other children do not need to see him naked, Im sure the mother knew he done this so why is it such a suprise when he gets off of the bus naked, the bus driver has enough responsibility without trying to keep her child dressed, Im sorry for the child having this disability but I think the mother is looking for a easy way to cash in, which Im sure she will, wonder if she will use that money on her childs education?

Posted by Country (anonymous) on June 9, 2009 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fireman what curriculum works with a student with a 41 IQ??? Or one that is for an autistic student with a 41 IQ?Sometimes you just have to dig around and find what may work. Not all kids will be able to read no matter what is used. Just because something works for one does not mean it will work for all students. Open Door has students with a variety of disabilities and levels in the same classroom. So sometimes going out and buying a book to use may stimulate a positive response. Sometimes just a small improvement is all that will happen.

In 2004 was when the mother of not being informed about IDEA. That is on the IEP which she is required to sign including every year since to say she has recieved a copy of IDEA.

Not all kids least restrictive environment is a school if their behavior is such a disruption. Maybe it is a classroom by himself if inappropriate interactions continue. It also might be being taught at home.

Posted by Vil (anonymous) on June 9, 2009 at 5:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gold diggers.

That's what the entire front page of the Tribune is today.

It is a horrible thing Mrs. Hundley that your child has autism, and I know it is very expensive. But there is no reason to sue anyone over it. The Open Door School was in no way out of line. Quit being a detriment to our court system.

Posted by AlisonMiller (anonymous) on June 9, 2009 at 6:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

? I've seen IEPs---the plan covers what the teacher will be teaching the child based on his/her abilities for the year. The parent signs it. If there was no reading instruction on her child's IEP, then why was it signed? Plus, I've never heard of a company selling a special "autism" series. I thought that with special needs children, teachers do their best to find books that fit the needs of their students.

And as far as a publisher suing a teacher in Law Co that is using old Dick and Jane books to teach her special needs students sight words? That wouldn't happen. They're busy.

Posted by ts (anonymous) on June 9, 2009 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I just had to comment on this subject, because this really ticks me off!!!!. First of all, I have a niece & nephew who atteneded the Open Door until old enough to move on to tri-state, I also have a close relative who soon will be retiring after many long and tiering yrs from the school. Most people have no clue how hard these people work and the close relationship they develop w/ these students. I thank God for the ones who have the patience and love to deal with the special needs of these great kids.
I agree with Vil...it is all about trying to get the easy money. Get a life Mrs. H., and leave the school and these people alone so they can continue to do the work that others would never attempt !!!

Posted by MasterChef (anonymous) on June 9, 2009 at 7:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vil, this is going to hurt me more than it does you....once again I find myself agreeing with you!

Mrs. Hundley lost all credibility when she didn't sue to order the school to perform a specific action. The child is 11 years old. Why is she just now taking an active interest in her son's "education"? I'm filled with sympathy for the child, but what does she expect? I wonder what his home life is like?

Posted by r00ster (anonymous) on June 9, 2009 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i wana sue somebody any takers? wait !!! how about a local fast food company because they forgot to give me my frys?

Posted by NeverCeasesToAmazeMe (anonymous) on June 9, 2009 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have 1 child diagnosed and another soon to be on the ASD (Autism Spectrum disorder) so I have all of the sympathy in the world for any parent, teacher or care giver who deals with this on a daily basis. Although I have already had to go a few rounds with school districts and doctors over my kids, I also understand that any teacher, whether it be in regular public schools or a MRDD classroom, cannot devote all of their attention on 1 student. If 1 on 1 attention is needed, then although it is the rights of any child to have an equal and fair education, that child may need to be at home and tutuored there rather than put them in a place that they feel overwhelmed. Autistic children have a hard time dealing with social interactions and if that was causing my child to have outbursts to the point that they had to restrain him, then I would have him home or somewhere else.
as for IEP's, yes everyone should have been there who needed to be there but if the parent signed the papers then that was their fault. It took me a few times filling out one and even a meeting with someone to explain it to me so that I knew the who what when where and why's of it all.
MRDD has a hard job that they do on a daily basis. To date, I only have praises for them for the help that they give to these kids and adults. I have only been dealing with them for a few years but I see many more with them in the future. I know my child and I know the limitations that myself and the school can handle. If my youngest isn't dealing well or having a bad day then it is best for him to not be in that particular situation. I think that is what this mother should have done and suing all of the teachers and the school is not the answer. Where will this child be at now if she thinks he was mistreated before? If Open Door can't handle him then the public schools will be completely out of it.

Posted by bea (anonymous) on June 9, 2009 at 9:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This story has me very upset this evening. As the parent of a child attending Open Door School, I disagree with everything the mother is accusing the school of. I am there often. I would have wanted a naked child removed from my child's classroom ASAP. And as for not every member of the "team" attending IEP meeting, well I have been involve in these meeting since 1999 and I always have to sign a piece of paper stating it is alright to -continue if "all members" are not present. It is almost impossible to get all members of the "team" to attend at the same time...they have other meetings, teaching responsibilities (they all can't find subs to cover their class at the same time) And I have always been able to have a private meeting with any member not able to attend. It seems to me she just didn't want to take the time or care to pay attention to what was happening. I worked for 5 long years to get my child into Open Door School and the rewards of him being taught there are way too numerious to mention. I stand behind the school and all of it's employees - Keep teaching and loving our children - you are in my prayers every night.

Posted by Greg (anonymous) on June 9, 2009 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Law Suits- America`s new favorite past time...

Posted by cashmere (anonymous) on June 9, 2009 at 10:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have always appreciated the hard work of the Open Door School. I think we are fortunate to have it, and to have had it for as long as I can remember. I'm glad the Tribune has always given pretty good coverage of events there.
Having said that, and I know this is harsh, but what kind of education can one give a kid with a 41 IQ plus the rest of his problems? I think his mom should be on her knees every day, thanking God for a school that would take in a child with these problems. How long do you think she could take him at home? I've known so many parents with special needs kids whose only break in the day are the hours their child spends at Open Door or other facilities. Talk about biting the hand! Unfortunately, in this litigious world we live in, she'll probably win, and that only hurts the other kids. I hope she gets a judge with "empathy" for the school.

Posted by Max (anonymous) on June 9, 2009 at 10:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If a suit needs to be filed over a child's right to a free and appropriate education, the goal of that suit should be to fix the problem and to see that the school provides the appropriate education. There should be no way that the educational rights of children be allowed to become a way for a parent to seek monetary damages. Our teachers are under paid and our school systems are operating under not fully funded legislation. There certainly is not enough money for this kind of greed. The cost of defending the suit will take away from the resources that should be used for the students' education. I am familiar with students and staff at The Open Door School and the staff should be commended for the wonderful job they do at a rate of compensation that is lower than what they would receive at other schools in the area. I realize that the paper is reporting what the parent claimed in her suit but there must be much more to this story. What exactly is a teacher or administrator supposed to do if a child removes his clothes in the classroom? I think removing this student from that classroom was the only appropriate thing that the staff could do in that situation. I personally think the teachers at The Open Door School deserve better than to be named in the paper as subjects of a law suit. These people are doing a job everyday that most people would not do. I know they are more than willing to work with parents to help their students.This is just another example of a parent expecting the school to do the impossible.

Posted by katybug (anonymous) on June 9, 2009 at 10:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Max, you hit the nail on the head.
The teachers and staff at Open Door School do a wonderful job with the students. They are grossly underpaid and have a much more difficult job than a teacher in a normal functioning classroom.
This mom is just looking for monetary damages, not considering the children and families it will affect in the long run. With the money she may receive, how much will actually go toward her child and his care and education?

Posted by twilighter09 (anonymous) on June 10, 2009 at 12:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just for the record... I am a student in the education dept at a local college. And yes there are special curriculum that is supposed to be used for autistic children.

Posted by Vil (anonymous) on June 10, 2009 at 1:05 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by Grandma45638 (anonymous) on June 10, 2009 at 6:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i have a 7 year old grandson that goes to open door and i thank god for that school ever day it has brought him along way he is austic and mr most austic childern dont like clothes and they have to be made to keep their clothes on from get go its something ya have to teach them from a younger age and as far as reading most austic childern cant read even tho i know they can be taught. but this comes in a lot longer time period for most childern alot of austic childern can talk and this is what open door is doing for my grandson, learning him how to tell us his basic needs and when you have a child that cant tell ya what he wants its a hard thing to deal with. my grandson not only can tell us what he wants now but he also can tell us his birthday and just different things. Mrs. Honker and her helpers have brought my grandson a long way since he has been in her classroom and i just wanna say ty keep doin a good job and what did the mother want for them to stand in public and dress her child where no only the kids but the community could have seen i think the staff did the right thing by getting him in the school and dressing him and telling him no and this mother needs to know this is gonna hurt alot of childern and she should have taught her child to keep his clothes on years ago i know it ishard to teach these childern but ya cant blame someone for something you have or have not done

Posted by 4victims (anonymous) on June 10, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

vil, I am praying for you because you are an idiot. Do you know what a gold digger is? Why do you think people have the right to seek litigation in the courtroom?

Hello! Civil Rights? wrong doing? The courts are there to serve the people and there are (MONEY HUNGRY) attorneys out there that will pursue any avenue for the Ol mighty greenback!

So, get off of what ever horse you are on and look at the big picture. If people in this community would quit using others to benefit their needs and wants...there would be no reason to sue anyone.

People do have rights.

Posted by sis_abbott2001 (anonymous) on June 10, 2009 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I cannot believe the system we have in Lawrence county..
I think this mother deserves every penny she can get.. I could not imagine how I would have reacted in her situation . I have had 5 children of my own and in the process of adopting number 10 . For those who cannot understand how many that is it is going to be number 14.. My children are my pride and joy.. I have had to do home schooling with 4 of mine .. It's not easy to raise a child with disorders.My son was diagnosed with bipolar and adhd and we were told by his teenage years we would have to have him put in an instution .. guess what he is now 20 years old works every day has had the same job for 2 years now and expecting his first child.. Mam , don't let anyone tell you there is nothing you can do to change this situation and you don't deserve any money.. You deserve every cent, and with God's help anything is possible all you have to do is ask..

Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on June 10, 2009 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

In response to Vil..about it being expensive to have a child with a disability..I have done home health for years and what I have seen over and over is that these people don't pay anything out of pocket, they get a disability check for the child, food stamps, diapers and any medical assistance supplies they need. Also there is also a majority of them that get housing paid for. so most of them know how to work the system and live pretty well.

Posted by Bobby (anonymous) on June 10, 2009 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Right on lady! If the kid keeps taking his clothes off then great, don't even think of a way to prevent this with maybe clothing that would be difficult to remove..hmm... maybe jumpsuits with back fasteners.....just let him do it to disrupt the class, bus whatever......and sure that kid should be reading by now.....and your rights ...gee you got em......so go after those mean people who maybe know a little more about teaching the unteachable and all the frustrations and setbacks involved in this process.....you know those teachers who could actually have summers off and a liveable wage if they taught in the public public schools...teachers who have chosen to try and help children who would be lost without them, a school system the children love and reach their potential in ...so, Go for all the $$ you can get...maybe you can get your wish to shut the place down then you would have the money to educate your son in your home.....sounds like fun to me!

Posted by cashmere (anonymous) on June 10, 2009 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's a crazy system where this mom, with a kid with these kinds of disabilities, has to be getting all sorts of checks. And yet, even with all this help, even with a school willing to try to help this child, it's not enough, and so off she goes to court.

Posted by smithhunter (anonymous) on June 10, 2009 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would just like to state how important Open Door is to Lawrence County and it is because of ignorant people such as this woman that we may lose this type of school. Several law makers want to mainstream all children into public school, which would be devastating to these children. Right now these kids have the ability to play basketball, be a cheerleader, and even play instruments, as far as the curriculum goes, autism is not the only disability that affect these children, there is a wide range from autism, to downs, and other disabilities that have not been diagnosed. And for the person that is upset because someone bought books to teach these children, and then agrees with this individual about suing the school, do you not realize it is because when she sues the school and if they pay her money, the limited funding that the school receives is going to be even more limited because of ignorant people like this women.

Posted by theguydowtown (anonymous) on June 10, 2009 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GOOD GRIEF! I hope Mrs Hundley chokes on her check.

ADHD? It seems everyone now a days has ADHD. Can I sign up for it? I multi task all day and I get all over the place.

This kid, sorry he has issues, has an IQ of 41 and they are concerned about the "reading curriculum"? HELLO! He cant read! I dont think with an IQ that low he will read, maybe recognize his first name written on a paper or something.

Again sorry about your illness in the family. But you dont go around SUING an organization that I am sure has bent over BACKWARDS to supply education to your mentally retarded child that YOU could never afford privately.

No your child will never be a doctor, pilot, engineer. But he is your child, stop putting the blame on everyone else. You made him, raise him the best of your abilities and see through the illness without getting sue happy.

Posted by VikingDad73 (anonymous) on June 10, 2009 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have a stepson who attends open door school. Jacob is to say the least very disruptive and abusive to himself and anyone around. The people who work there are very patient and tolerant of all the kids who attend there. It would serve us all good to have to work there even one day and see what these employees deal with. To be suing them over something like this is very rediculous to say the least. This entire story reeks of a money hungry setup using a special needs child as the catalists for the suit. These people needs awards and community recognition for there services, not harrassment from money hungry lawyers and (parents ???) yeah right! Another left wing waste of our tax payer dollars in the name of equal access!

Posted by cashmere (anonymous) on June 10, 2009 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wish there were a law that said that if you are on government assistance, and you sue the government and win, all assistance ends.

But even if she does win, she will go through the money faster than Jack Whitaker at the Pink Pony, and be back whining about how no one will help her and her son. And the son will suffer. If she destroys the Open Door School by financially ruining them, who is going to take her son off her hands for hours a day?

Posted by anonymous (anonymous) on June 10, 2009 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To My2Cents: You are wrong about your statement regarding "these people" who have children with disabilities not paying anything out of pocket. That is an incorrect statement. I have a child with a physical disability. I have a Masters degree and work full time. Guess what? Can't get a penny to help with the frequent trips to Childrens hospital or the $5,000 dollar MRI every year, or the urinary catheters.

Posted by MasterChef (anonymous) on June 10, 2009 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cashmere, let me spread a little sunshine your way. Its not much, but maybe it'll help.

MOST assistance programs this child might be on have asset caps, usually in the $1500-$2000 range. Anything over that must be spent BEFORE the assistance resumes. Sure, there are ways to hide some of the money, but you DON'T want to get caught.

Posted by nowuwant2nome (anonymous) on June 10, 2009 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lets dig a little deeper. There are many students who do not attend Open Door School, yet have an IEP. Having an IEP allows MANY students who play sports an opportunity to sail through school without learning basic English and Math. It has been happening in Lawrence County for years. Let us NOT forget Mr. Coy Bacon (professional football player) who recently passed away but before doing so disclosed that he could NOT read. However he received an education in the Lawrence County School District.

This is not an isolated incident. It is still happening today. As long as you can run that fooball or dunk that basketball it doesn't matter if you pass the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) which is the high school graduation examination given to sophomores in the U.S. state of Ohio. It fulfills the state achievement test requirement under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which requires annual testing in reading and mathematics.

Instead the school allows them to repeat the testing over and over again (into their senior year of high school), even reading the questions to them! Even more shocking, we give them scholarships to attend higher education (college) when the can't do the basics ! We are setting these students up for failure!

Instead of praising them for yards ran or points gained shouldn't we be praising the community of students who have high academic merit to engage in high education.

Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on June 10, 2009 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To anonymous.. I did in no way mean "everyone" when I made my comment. I have just seen it over and over that people take an adavantage of what the system offers and then try to get more from the tax paying citizens. I am sorry if I offended you.

Posted by SUZIEQ (anonymous) on June 11, 2009 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Has anyone checked out the background of the mother? Maybe she has a criminal background involving sexual abuse of a minor - or an outstanding warrant.

I am just a neighbor who has watched this progress. To the Open Door School, do not pay a penny until your lawyers have checked out everything!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Max (anonymous) on June 11, 2009 at 11:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SuzieQ...Is it also true that the Mother already received quite a large settlement from Cheapeake School district?

Posted by MOUNTAINGIRL (anonymous) on June 12, 2009 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I HAVE A CHILD THAT HAS BEEN ATTENDING OPEN DOOR FOR 3 YEARS.HE LOVES IT HE COULD MAKE IT IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL OPEN DOOR HAS BEEN GREAT HIS TEACHER MS DEERING IS WONDERFUL MY SON LIKES READING DIARIES OF A WIMPY KID MS DEERING BUYS THESE BOOKS FOR I DONT MATTER WHERE SHE GETS THEM AT LEAST SHE CARES ENOUGH TO GET THESE BOOKS FOR HIM WE LOVE MS DEERING.

Posted by R_U_Culpable (anonymous) on June 12, 2009 at 11:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For starters as written in the Tribune; Story: Open Door has new reading curriculum (Wedn, August 29, 2007). There are more stories in exactly the same place this came from attesting to the never ending adaptation that ODS must uphold to keep it's good standing with parents, the community, and the state of Ohio. I too have a child at ODS & like every parent/guardian whose child attends ODS, I was given the option to send my child there or to a public school. That was nine years ago. I do not regret that decision.
There are accusations in the article that could lead you to think options are not provided or consumers of ODS are taken not informed. Although I agree that all parties should be present at the IEP meetings parents are not forced to proceed if that is not the case. I have never attended an IEP in which I was not advised of my and my child’s rights. I have waived the presence of others to get a meeting at my convenience and if a parent feels overwhelmed or intimidated by information they may ask for representation. I hate to go here but we have to assume that the parents of consumers of MRDD programs are capable of making choices for their dependants even if they are not. They are the parents/guardians and must act as such since they choose to perform this role. There are many parents, including those not involved with MRDD programs, that I would like to give an IQ test. But we are all free to live our live as we wish, thank goodness.
It is not a free ride for anyone involved in loving & caring for a special needs individual. For you who suggested this, I can only attempt to help you understand. For parents whose children are unable to communicate it is a guessing game. We keep them comfortable & happy as you would your first new infant but for us it is indefinite. For other parents they watch as their child struggles everyday to learn to communicate & accomplish. Like parents of typical children they never stop worrying. But their children remain perpetually childlike in a state of innocence or naivety that may not protect them from harms that you would normally stop thinking about when your child is a teen, but theirs are middle aged.
We count on these programs and staff to not judge us but to understand our often painful frustrating journeys and our sense of humor which we must maintain to persevere-although often may seem sordid to outsiders.
I’ve heard stories about what occurred , we will see, as for the remaining accusations in the article it is a lawyers job to discredit the plaintiff & that is what Mr. Kennth Myers was hired to do.
In a perfect world we would meet every child’s needs, each would be nurtured equally. We would all be blessed with patience & understanding. Nothing would be missed and children would not fall thru cracks. Parents would not discourage their child’s curiosity about the boy in the wheelchair and warped conclusions would not be so easy to believe.