Teacher Duct-taped Mouth of Asperger’s Student

A teacher duct-taped the mouth of a third-grade student with Asperger’s Syndrome shut at Battell Elementary School in Mishawaka, Indiana, last Thursday. The child’s mother reported the incident to police the following day.

As noted in the October 5th Associated Press:

The report says Burnett claims the teacher made the child put duct tape on his own mouth, but Burnett says Tuesday that she told police her son indicated that the teacher applied the duct tape.

The school district is said to be investigating the matter ‘internally’ and cooperating with law enforcement authorities.

Let’s hope so, and hope that they don’t try to seal up the charges.

There are certainly many creative things that people do with duct tape. But using it on a child’s mouth, and on the mouth of a child on the autism spectrum, is (serious understatement) not one of them. And it’s certainly not an acceptable use of that particular school supply in the classroom.

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Photo by striatic.

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Kathy M.

9:47PM PDT on Jun 18, 2011

I can't believe what some teachers get away with these days ~ but, kids can "push" and teachers have NO recourse.

June 18
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Dy H.

2:37AM PST on Jan 4, 2011

One great facet of aspergers is matter of fact thoughts. For example:
1) if a child taped his own mouth, would that be considered self abuse?
2) when you consider the types of abuse that exist, does being firm with a talkative child with a lack of social cues seem important?
3) if you're going to say "they're stupid", check your spelling.
4) I doubt the Childs nostrils were covered, since it's not a murder case. So what's the harm in tape?

I was a horror aspie kid to the extent that I was removed from elementary school.

January 4
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Roz U.

5:26AM PST on Dec 15, 2010

My son had his mouth taped closed at the YMCA after school program when he was six. I reported the incident and the childcare worker was fired. He also was made to sit on the bench during kindergarten activities because he was too active and talkative for his teacher's standards. Fortunately, he is now 30 and teaching at a college.

December 15
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Rachael M.

6:39PM PST on Dec 4, 2010

It doesn't matter the rhyme or reason why she duct taped this boys mouth shut. It is illegal to do such a thing as a teacher. I am a teacher and I have a child with Aspergers. If my son ever came home telling me his teacher had duct taped his mouth for whatever reason I would sue the school and the teacher for abuse. If she was a good teacher she would understand what Aspergers is and how to cope. Obviously she isn't very well educated so she shouldn't be a teacher.

December 4
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Kate K.

8:19AM PDT on Oct 24, 2010

And what exactly is she teaching? It sounds like she is teaching bullying instead of trying to prevent it.

October 24
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Joy D.

9:35PM PDT on Oct 19, 2010

Without reading further horrific details, I must voice, "Someone must duct tape her hands."

October 19
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Jane R.

6:14PM PDT on Oct 17, 2010

I don't have all the facts so I can't comment.

October 17
send a green star

Lev S.

11:33AM PDT on Oct 11, 2010

First all, I myself look like an aspy. When I was a child the term Aspergian Disorder wasn't in use, but just tonight I passed a test and I have 38. And who of us, geeks, doesn't look alike?
From the other hand, the teacher in this story didn't pretend to be a shrink. Her intention must be to enforce order in the classroom. And she couldn't do it by more conventional means, I think. At least, I wouldn't be able to were I in her shoes. And I have had to work as a public school master for three years. Teachers are also humans, not angels.