u/LancasterRugger

I work in Center-Based Autism Support with students who’re diagnosed with Level 3 Autism (physically aggressive, elopement, self-injurious behavior, etc). On 2/19, I had a meeting scheduled at dismissal with my Special Education Consultant and just as that meeting started, a radio call requesting support in my classroom went out. I arrived to one of my students being physically aggressive towards my staff while also SIBing. We managed to get his stuff on and walk him out to his transportation, but picks back up with the SIB (head-hitting) as we’re buckling him into his seat. The behavior analyst (BCBA) assigned to my classroom has said that ethically, we have to intervene (block) when he does this, so I did using an open hand placed between his fist and forehead, but this frustrates the student, making them even more aggressive. Unfortunately, we had a different BCBA who wasn’t as familiar with this student supporting us that afternoon and they didn’t agree with how I was doing things. I reminded them of the established policy the first time they voiced their opinion, and then ceded to them the second time they spoke up. The next day, I was informed that someone filed a complaint and that I would be placed on administrative leave pending an investigation conducted by both Children and Youth Services and the local police department. Fast forward 2 months, and I’ve been cleared by CYS, am still waiting to hear the results of the police investigation, and have been forced to withdraw from student teaching since I’m no longer in the classroom and cannot be observed. Of course, my employer is paying for my classes so long as I provide proof of grade and cost per credit, but I can’t do that because I had to withdraw and am on the hook for $3,000 due to no fault of my own.