Re: Star 94 & Poisonous Cake Dad (update)

[Guest guest]

I was very disappointed in Steve and Vickie today - and all the morning show people. They seemed very closed minded and intent on making sure the child got punished, instead of making sure she gets the help she needs. The Dad did well - I'm amazed that he never just yelled (like I did in my car!) "do you just not GET that this child does not understand the implications of her actions???!!".

This show definately changed my opinion of Steve and Vickie.

Lou

[Guest guest]

I was thinking the same thing the whole time the interview was on air. I tried to call in, but the lines were busy the whole time.

Unfortunately it sounds like Steve and Vicky have no clue when it comes to autism. It is just incomprehensible to them that this girl didn't grasp the reality of what she was doing, nor could she process a negative punishment for it.

We should all take a moment to educate them.

Adrienne

I was very disappointed in Steve and Vickie today - and all the morning show people. They seemed very closed minded and intent on making sure the child got punished, instead of making sure she gets the help she needs. The Dad did well - I'm amazed that he never just yelled (like I did in my car!) "do you just not GET that this child does not understand the implications of her actions???!!".

This show definately changed my opinion of Steve and Vickie.

Lou

[Guest guest]

I was not able to hear the interview- could someone please post- what was said?

Did anyone call in?

Thanks,

Heidi Fernandez

[Guest guest]

if you go to www.star94.com and click on the morning show. there

should be a spot to listen to show archives. i also tried calling

in.....i ended up emailing the but havent rec'd a response.

> I was not able to hear the interview- could someone please post-

what was said?

> Did anyone call in?

> Thanks,

> Heidi Fernandez

[Guest guest]

Several people have asked for information on how the interview went on Star 94. I thought it went as well as could be expected. It was apparent they wanted information that the dad, Alan Duke, couldn't always answer because of the pending criminal court case. He tried to answer as many questions as he could, and clarify some of the misunderstandings and information that has been reported which was inaccurate. At the same time, I think he had to be careful what he said or he could harm his daughter, and I don't think people understood that, unfortunately.

People who do not have children with disabilities do not understand the complexity of these children's difficulties in many areas. Esp. children with high functioning autism (Aspergers) because they appear on the outside so normal, even sometimes talking with them. Everyone thinks it is so easy to say or determine that is purely a question of if they understand right and wrong. Parents of children with neurological disorders know it is not that easy or clear cut. I got the distinct impression most of the radio staff had difficulty with this.

I think the information that got out that was important is that several things have been reported which are false. The cake was not made at the Duke's, it was made at the other girl's house. Alan never saw the cake, he never knew there was a cake, it was not made in their home, and when he put his daughter on the bus the morning this happened, she did not have a cake to his knowledge that he saw. Secondly, there was never any evidence of the girls putting prescription medication in the cake, this was a mix-up in the media and was retracted. Thirdly, it was reported the school had no knowledge of the child's disability, but in fact over the summer the school had tested the child and the school psych identified Aspergers and made a whole list of recommendations, none of which were implemented. The county spec. ed. staff refused to allow this information to be shared with the school staff and teachers. Mr. Duke was not allowed or permitted to talk with teachers, school, or share any of this information either, eventhough he requested and felt this should be done. The big questions are WHY? Was this legal? Wouldn't this make them somewhat responsible? Shouldn't they be held accountable as well?

I think after the interview, Vickie raised the important question. Was there bleach in the cake? Until we know this we should not be making judgments on these children. The DA has apparently not released this information, and the media seems to be questioning why, as I think we all should. I remember seeing the first interview with Alan on Good Morning America, and seem to recall him saying his daughter reported to him they did not use Bleach, it was the DA on the program who thought there was Bleach. I recall him saying on the program something like, there was obviously something in the cake strong enough that it made 12 children sick.

What I did liked about the interview is that several callers called in supporting the dad. One was a parent of a child with Aspergers who could relate to what Alan has been through, and she did a good job of explaining Aspergers as she sees it in her child. Another great caller was a spec. ed. classroom teacher who teachers children with Aspergers. She also supported the dad and tried to explain how these children don't see the world as the rest of us do, and she tried to describe how they have impaired thinking. I thought she did a good job. I thought the callers were good, they seemed to support that the fact these children have the difficulties this dad is reporting. I thought it was very interesting that Alan asked the teacher whether the psychological information should have been shared with the teachers, and she would not answer, said she would have to know more of the facts.

You could tell by later callers who did not have children with disabilities that they do not understand how the disabilities impact these children, seemed to question whether this was a real disorder, they questioned why it was the school's responsibility to identify this child's problems, and questioned why it would be the public school's responsibility to provide a private placement at public expense if they could not teach or handle the child. Those of us with children with similar issues and in advocacy know the answers to these questions!!

All in all, I think the interview was good, eventhough there was some discussion that appeared not to be in his favor, but I think people have to realize that this is the media's job to try to present both sides. They know that the majority of their listeners do not have children with disabilities, do not understand, and are asking the same tough questions they tried to ask.

I think the other good thing that has come out of this, is that I have had some e-mails from people who reported they listened to the interview and before the interview, they did not know what Aspergers was, or had never heard of it.

This discussion certainly brought a lot of awareness and publicity to the disability. It is unfortunate this child is paying the consequences of mistakes that adults made who are suppose to be there to help her, in my opinion!! They should also be held in a group homes away from their families over the Holidays. I wish the disability community could organize to do something to help this child. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

Information in this e-mail is strictly my interpretations of what has happened, and my opinions (BTW).

Carol SadlerSpecial Education Consultant/AdvocateCarolSadler@...www.IEPadvocate4You.com