|
|
|
 |
|||||
|
May 5, 2005 Betty
J. Sternberg Commissioner
of Education State
of Department
of Education
Telephone
(860) 713-6500 Dear
Commissioner Sternberg, Our
national parent organization represents parents in “Within the medical and educational communities, there is little agreement as to the nature of the condition: Is it a medical or behavioral disorder? Is it truly a “disorder” or only a collection of symptoms reflecting many possible causes? Nor is there consistent evidence as to how it is best treated—with behavioral interventions, medication, or both?”
The article goes on to say, “Unfortunately, restrictive legislation and debates about research findings can be counterproductive to improving both behavioral and academic outcomes for a child with ADD/ADHD.”
We
strongly feel that NASP is using its position within our public schools to
market a dangerous political agenda and we are outraged that they
would so blatantly countermine “The Prohibition against Mandatory
Medication Act of 2004” and the 2001 Connecticut legislation prohibiting
school personnel from recommending the use of psychotropic drugs for any
child. At
your office’s recommendation, and to ensure that our parents follow
proper procedure and Due Process, we contacted the State's Consultant in
Psychology, Mr. Bob Liechtenstein to discuss the issue of the NASP’s
political position on the recent federal and state laws, and the clear
conflict of interest in their stated position. Mr.
Mr.
Liechtenstein went on to state that ADHD Checklists are still being used
during evaluations despite their lack of science and the fact that NO
ADD/ADHD rating scale, checklist, survey, or questionnaire has ever been
validated, endorsed, or recommended by ANY Local, State, or Federal Government!
The NASP does not disclose this fact to parents, and in turn, breaks down
the informed consent process. Clearly,
the State’s psychological consultant, and the NASP “Wants,”
have little to do with explaining and promoting the very REAL
Laws in Effect that safeguard Parental Rights. The NASP, the State,
and various other organizations currently provide a plethora of
information on ADD/ADHD and its “treatments” to parents and children
via the public schools. The State
must ensure that proper, non-bias distribution of information on ADD/ADHD
and this law affecting parents and caregivers occurs. From
NASP’s statement, it is clear, they have chosen to disregard
distributing the many State laws and the Federal Law information which
directly outlaws any school personnel from recommending Controlled
Substances to parents for their children. Their statement clearly
downplays the very real pervasive problem of schools recommending
Controlled substances for children. If schools overstepping their
boundaries in this way weren’t a real problem, than we would not see
almost a dozen states taking legislative action to stop this abuse and the
Federal Government itself initiating and passing legislation. Our
national parent organization found their comments very disturbing
taken by themselves, but view them as downright alarming considering that
Mr. Liechtenstein is the State’s consultant and seems to spout the same
political agenda. With
this in mind, Ablechild would like to formally request that the State
ensure that a separate organization, without ties to the mental health
industry, be able to distribute this new Federal right, “The
Prohibition against Mandated Medication Act” to parents and
children via the public schools. This information is critical
to the informed consent process within the public education system. In
addition to our concerns, we would like to point out that children and
parents do not seem to have the ability to “opt out” of the Associations
of School Psychologists "practice" within the schools, which
has been another driving force prompting parents to petition the
State to change this malignant policy. The State must allow
parents to have debates and legislative action about Research (ADHD/ADD)
that affects both behavioral and academic outcomes relating to the label
ADD/ADHD. Likewise, the State is obligated to make sure that there
are provisions in place ensuring that full informed consent is given to
parents within schools, which encompasses the health and safety of their
children. It is outrageous that
the State would allow school personnel to promote policies limiting
discussions, debate, or legislation regarding the rights of the child,
informed consent, or the right to refuse psychological or psychiatric
“treatment” or services within the public education system. The
bottom line is that parents in Ablechild
was eager to work with Mr. Lichtenstein, to ensure that the NASP’s
political position is disclosed to parents prior to any member of the NASP
performing an evaluation on a child within the education system. Mr.
Lichtenstein was less than cooperative in his response stating, “The
State does not have the ability to tell this Association what to
do.” We
strongly urge your office to remind NASP that they are not above the law!
It appears that as a
State Consultant and a member of NASP, Mr. Lichtenstein is more interested
in protecting the Association of School Psychologists and its mission,
than in protecting full parental informed consent within the State’s
education system. We
urge the State of 1.
Immediate
clarification on the role of the school psychologists and their current
political activities.
2.
That
the school psychologist responsible for evaluating their children for
educational services is potentially opposed to the rights of the parent
for full informed consent and the right to refuse psychological services,
resulting in a direct conflict of interest in the matter. 3.
A
non-biased distribution of the “Prohibition against Mandated Medication
Act” to ensure that parents are educated on the basic rights afforded to
them under this law. 4.
An
independent evaluator that does not have a political agenda or conflict of
interest that directly affects the safety and well-being of children.
It is the people of The
NASP has no business using our public education system to further their
political agenda or to expand their "practice". We
respectfully request a written reply from the Commissioner of Education on
this important matter. Thank
you for any assistance you can provide to correct this problem. Best
regards, Sheila
Matthews National
Vice President cc:
Secretary of Education
Fox News
|
||||
|
Copyright © 2001 Ablechild.org (Parent for Label and Drug Free Education). All rights reserved. Web Hosting, Web Marketing, and E-Commerce by Outflow Technologies
|
'01