The pain of autistic children being abused.

"THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO SAY"

Public opinion, especially parents of autistic children, is deeply disappointed by the images of an autistic child being pulled by the hair and beaten by a teacher at the Rainbow Son Tra branch of the Institute for Special Education and Psychology Research (83 Ton Quang Phiệt Street, Son Tra District, Da Nang City). This incident was reported on social media on March 1st by the child's parent. Specifically, Ms. Tran Ngoc Gia Hy (29 years old, residing in Man Thai Ward, Son Tra District) posted an article on social media with images reflecting the abuse her daughter suffered at the hands of the teacher.

Parents accuse a teacher at the Cau Vong Son Tra branch of the Institute for Special Education and Psychology Research of abusing children with disabilities.

Mr. Phan Minh Tuan (residing in An Hai Bac Ward, Son Tra District), whose autistic child attends the Rainbow Son Tra branch of the Institute for Special Education and Psychology Research, expressed great concern after seeing images of a teacher abusing his child's classmate. According to Mr. Tuan, children with disabilities cannot protect themselves when subjected to violence. After this incident, his family is hesitant to send their child to any other center for autistic children. "My family is extremely worried, wondering if our child will be abused again if they continue attending school. The incident at the Rainbow Son Tra branch of the Institute for Special Education and Psychology Research has angered me and many other parents," Mr. Tuan said.

What further angered many parents whose children attend the Rainbow Son Tra branch was that the center had previously prohibited parents from viewing classroom surveillance cameras for "security" reasons, protecting teaching information and images of students with disabilities. "Initially, parents trusted the teachers and supported the teaching methods of this autism care facility. But there's really nothing more to say in the face of such abusive behavior towards children with disabilities," Mr. Tuan said, his voice choked with emotion.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tam (residing in Hoa Vang District, Da Nang City), whose 10-year-old daughter has autism, also hopes that facilities for children with disabilities will allow parents to view cameras hourly to promptly handle any negative situations that may arise with their children. "When children exhibit unusual behavior, only parents understand them best. For example, during group activities, even a small action from a friend can cause the children to lose their composure, easily leading to serious consequences," Mr. Tam said. The school his daughter attends is a special needs school in Da Nang City, and many teachers also have children with autism, so they understand the parents' feelings.

GAP IN MANAGEMENT

On March 4th, the leaders of Son Tra District People's Committee stated that regarding the suspected case of student abuse at the Son Tra Rainbow branch, the police are still investigating the incident.

Parents accuse a teacher at the Cau Vong Son Tra branch of the Institute for Special Education and Psychology Research of abusing children with disabilities.

Following complaints from parents alleging teacher abuse of autistic children, authorities in Son Tra District determined that the Cau Vong Son Tra childcare facility at 83 Ton Quang Phiệt Street was not licensed to operate. Ms. Le Thi Thuc, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Science and Technology, stated that the Cau Vong Son Tra branch had previously submitted an application for a registration certificate. "However, we confirm that we have not yet granted a license to the Cau Vong Son Tra branch, which belongs to the Institute for Special Education and Psychology Research, for various reasons as per regulations," Ms. Thuc informed. A representative from the Da Nang Department of Science and Technology added that the Institute for Special Education and Psychology Research is under the management of the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology. In Da Nang, the Da Nang Department of Science and Technology is responsible for licensing the branch's operations.

Outraged after seeing images of a teacher abusing autistic children at the Cau Vong Son Tra branch, Mr. Hoang Thanh Luc (residing in Thanh Khe District, Da Nang City) suggested: "Autism centers belonging to research institutes are not professionally managed by the local education department… That is a shortcoming. This 'gap' is also the reason why the children are abused."

TEACHING CHILDREN REQUIRES BOTH UNDERSTANDING AND LOVE

Cases of child abuse, especially abuse of autistic children, have angered those working in the field. Children with special needs already face more disadvantages than other children, and caring for and educating them requires both understanding (knowledge) and love. Lacking either element will lead to the wrong approach.

A parent burst into tears after their child's classmate was bullied: "I don't dare send my child to school anymore!"

Mr. Nguyen Minh Phung, Director of the New Life Psychological Counseling and Skills Development Center in Da Nang (which cares for and supports children with special educational needs: autism, ADHD, developmental delays, etc.), stated that he prioritizes the safety of the children. According to Mr. Phung, children with special needs often have weak physical health and cognitive and social skills; they may not be aware of the dangers in their daily lives. Therefore, the center has strict regulations regarding the care provided by teachers, specialists, and caregivers, absolutely prohibiting any form of child abuse. This is stipulated in the first section of the center's internal regulations.

Teachers for children with special needs must have appropriate qualifications and good expertise, graduating from reputable universities with relevant majors such as psychology, special education, and social work. "Above all, ethics, the teacher's heart, and love for children must be paramount. Caring for and teaching children with special needs is a difficult job, requiring expertise, experience, and most importantly, a love for children and the profession, along with perseverance. This is a very demanding job; teachers often feel very tired after a day's work. I always encourage, support, and uplift their spirits, fostering a love for the profession and children. To avoid unfortunate incidents during the care and teaching process, I always remind teachers about their attitude in internal meetings. A surveillance camera system is installed throughout the classrooms, and the teachers are always conscious of working with a sense of responsibility and ethical conduct," Mr. Nguyen Minh Phung explained.

Things parents need to know when sending their children to daycare.

Mr. Hoang Ha, Director of Hanamiki Integration Counseling and Support Center (Hanoi), said that parents should carefully research whether the center or unit where their children are about to study or receive intervention has all the necessary legal documents, by checking the licenses, establishment decisions, etc.

Parents shouldn't hesitate to ask about the CV, qualifications, and professional certifications of the teachers who will be providing individual intervention for their children, to ensure that the person who will be teaching and providing individual intervention for their child is adequately qualified.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Phung stated that children with special needs require coordinated intervention and collaboration between schools and families. To achieve this, centers and schools must report and share teaching methods with parents at home. Parents need to be aware of suitable exercises, methods, and techniques for teaching their children at home, in order to support them.

Parents also have the right to watch teachers intervene with their children directly or view the footage on camera when needed.

"Regarding the confidentiality of information for children with special needs, parents are not allowed to view other children, but they are certainly allowed to view and monitor their own child. The methods and approaches used to teach children at the center are always scientifically verified and tailored to each individual child, so parents have the right to ask questions, consult, and discuss with the center's specialists and teachers so that both sides can cooperate to best support the child," said Mr. Nguyen Minh Phung.

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