AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
Australia's leading service provider in autism support is under investigation after it was revealed it locked 'distressed' children in a wooden box at a daycare centre.
Autism Spectrum Australia's (Aspect) Heatherton site in Melbourne's southeast reportedly erected the 'coffin-like' box that was fitted out with egg cartons for soundproofing and decorated by clients with autism, according to The Age.
'The two employees identified as being responsible for the structure were immediately stood down, pending a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding its construction,' Aspect released in a statement on Sunday night.
Australia's leading service provider in autism support is under intense investigation after it was revealed it locked 'distressed' children in a wooden box
'As soon as I was made aware of the presence of the structure, the site leader was directed to immediately arrange for the safe dismantling and removal of all materials from the site.'
The box was kept inside of one of the classrooms at the facility and had reportedly been in use for over a year as a 'calming device' for children with autism.
Autism Spectrum Australia's (Aspect) Heatherton site in Melbourne's southeast reportedly erected the 'coffin-like' box
A woman who was a former site manager at Aspect said she voiced concerns about the box earlier this year, but was dismissed.
'They laughed and said the box was staying ... they thought it was a good strategy,' she told The Age.
'This type of thing is something you would find in a Third World country.'
The box was removed 24-hours after it was reported to Aspect's head office in April.
Aspect have more than 10,000 clients with their Heatherton centre running programs for 15-20 year olds, most with speech impediments.
This comes after a principal was sacked for building a steel cage to 'calm down' a child with autism in September.
The 10-year-old boy was locked in the two-metre blue cube, which was fitted with a self-closing latch and built for $5,195 using the school's funds.
This comes after a principal was sacked for building a steel cage (pictured) to 'calm down' a child with autism in September
SOURCE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ort-provider-used-calm-autistic-children.html
- Australia's leading service provider in autism support under investigation
- It had been alleged distressed children were locked in a wooden box
- Autism Spectrum Australia said two staff members have been stood down
- Comes after principal was sacked for building cage for autistic student
Australia's leading service provider in autism support is under investigation after it was revealed it locked 'distressed' children in a wooden box at a daycare centre.
Autism Spectrum Australia's (Aspect) Heatherton site in Melbourne's southeast reportedly erected the 'coffin-like' box that was fitted out with egg cartons for soundproofing and decorated by clients with autism, according to The Age.
'The two employees identified as being responsible for the structure were immediately stood down, pending a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding its construction,' Aspect released in a statement on Sunday night.
Australia's leading service provider in autism support is under intense investigation after it was revealed it locked 'distressed' children in a wooden box
'As soon as I was made aware of the presence of the structure, the site leader was directed to immediately arrange for the safe dismantling and removal of all materials from the site.'
The box was kept inside of one of the classrooms at the facility and had reportedly been in use for over a year as a 'calming device' for children with autism.
Autism Spectrum Australia's (Aspect) Heatherton site in Melbourne's southeast reportedly erected the 'coffin-like' box
A woman who was a former site manager at Aspect said she voiced concerns about the box earlier this year, but was dismissed.
'They laughed and said the box was staying ... they thought it was a good strategy,' she told The Age.
'This type of thing is something you would find in a Third World country.'
The box was removed 24-hours after it was reported to Aspect's head office in April.
Aspect have more than 10,000 clients with their Heatherton centre running programs for 15-20 year olds, most with speech impediments.
This comes after a principal was sacked for building a steel cage to 'calm down' a child with autism in September.
The 10-year-old boy was locked in the two-metre blue cube, which was fitted with a self-closing latch and built for $5,195 using the school's funds.
This comes after a principal was sacked for building a steel cage (pictured) to 'calm down' a child with autism in September
SOURCE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ort-provider-used-calm-autistic-children.html
