-Toxic Pixies-
Ultimate Cheermaster
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Post: 53641957_1 created on Sun Aug 23, 2009 2:01 amPosted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 2:01 am
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(NOTE ON POLL: Yess vote is 'Yes they should be banned,' No vote is 'No they should't be banned')
Below I have included an article that appeared in my local newspaper. This was something that really burned me, but got me thinking. I am in honest disbelief that schools would even consider banning these animals when they are what is known as a calming agent to the autistic children. Personally I believe these dogs are no different than other service dogs, I think they can even help these students excel in a normal environment. What I think these schools are trying to do is just take who ever is different out of their schools, is no one remembering the American Disabilities Act? These dogs help these children, just as the seeing eye dogs help the blind see, and the hearing dogs help protect the deaf. How is an Autistic child any different? These is saving them. Now I know this article makes no mention of other service dogs being at this particular school, but what is your opinion? I think I've made my opinion clear, I believe these dogs should be allowed. *I am a communications disorders major, this includes working with Autistic children so my opinion could be biased* Quote: Autism service dogs face ban at some schools By Lindsey Tanner (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS) CHICAGO — Just as with seeing-eye dogs for the blind, trained dogs are now being used to help autistic children deal with their disabilities. But some schools want to keep the animals out, and families are fighting back. Two autistic elementary school students recently won court orders in Illinois allowing their dogs to accompany them to school. Their lawsuits follow others in California and Pennsylvania over schools’ refusal to allow dogs that parents say calm their children, ease transitions and even keep the kids from running into traffic. At issue is whether the dogs are true “service dogs” — essential to managing a disability — or simply companions that provide comfort. School districts said they are not discriminating, just drawing the line to protect the safety and health of other students who may be allergic to or scared of dogs. “The school district has 650 students, not just one. So we have to balance,” said Brandon Wright, lawyer for Villa Grove school district in central Illinois, which objected to 6-year-old Kaleb Drew’s plan to bring his yellow Labrador retriever, Chewey, to school. Kaleb’s family won a judge’s order in July allowing the dog to come to class until a trial, set to start Nov. 10. That means when Kaleb starts his first full day of first grade Monday, Chewey will be by his side. Service dogs have long been used by the blind, but training them to help those with autism is relatively new. While there’s little research on how these animals affect autistic children, families such as Kaleb’s said they have seen marked improvement. The support group Autism Speaks includes a list of dog-training groups among resources on its Web site. Autism is a developmental disorder that involves behaviors such as poor eye contact, trouble communicating and repetitive movements such as rocking or hand-flapping. Those with the disorder are prone to outbursts and may have trouble with changes in their environment. The dogs are trained to be a calming influence, providing a constant between home, school and other new places. Sometimes, as in Kaleb’s case, the dogs are tethered to children to prevent them from running off in dangerous situations. “It’s done so much more than we thought it could,” said Kaleb’s mother, Nichelle Drew. “We want Kaleb to be able to experience more of life,” and the dog has helped him do that, she said. Chewey does not react when Kaleb “throws a fit” during times of transition from one activity to another, which calms him much more quickly, Drew said. The tether fitted around Kaleb’s waist helps the dog stop Kaleb from running into traffic at pickup time, as Kaleb is prone to do. |
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