FL Hulking Florida teen who beat teacher unconscious over Nintendo Switch pleads guilty

[airportwoman]

In reading his mother's public statement, it appears he was in an ESE program that had at least one class outside of that classification. In my school, it might be a gym class, music class, or art class. In my setting, the students have these classes in the designated area but not with gen ed students but rather for the specialized content of the class.

Thanks. That makes sense.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

I can think of a reason...Free "childcare" during the school hours means "free" time for Mom. Plus, the school is on the hook to pay for all the therapies and special high tech learning aids he needs that may cost thousands of dollars. Mom doesn't even have to find a ride or use her gas to take him to appointments, because they do most therapies at school. Medicaid picks up a lot of the costs, also. Maybe he qualifies for the meals program, and the cost for a tech to sit with him all day. No way Mom could afford all of that.
Educators out there... tell me if I am wrong.

It almost sounds like you don't think his mother deserves a break, major financial help, nor logistical help with appointments? I'm not saying he was in the right place, but I do think his mother needs and deserves all the help possible. At the end of the day, she's probably facing a life very few of us could begin to understand facing.

It's painful enough to have children with severe special - needs, especially extremely violent outbursts, nevermind having to face judgment from the public for the resources you get that make it a little easier.

 

[jennytrevor]

It's too bad that this case seems to be moving in a direction that's purely punitive towards the teen instead of causing movement towards systemic changes in resources available for people such as the perpetrator. If there is no systemic change, cases like this will happen again.

 

[housewife]

It almost sounds like you don't think his mother deserves a break, major financial help, nor logistical help with appointments? I'm not saying he was in the right place, but I do think his mother needs and deserves all the help possible. At the end of the day, she's probably facing a life very few of us could begin to understand facing.

I am an educator and a mother of a child with disabilities that requires interventions. The whole idea of free time for mom is really not the case for most families I know including my own. We do have our kids for lots of time----nights, weekends, school vacations. The idea that therapies in school (medicaid covered and others) are a great way for me to avoid having to take my child to appointments and additional therapies is also not accurate. The OTs, PTs and SLTs I work with prefer a school setting-- fewer missed appointments, ability to have kids ready to go at the appointment (no need to grapple with separation from parent/care giver), and the ability to see a child's real time functioning in a classroom. The foods provided by school system may be free for many but for mine (other students I know) we try to avoid overly processed foods opting for healthier foods whenever possible, not mentioning allergies that are often present in children with extreme disabilities.

I understand the anger and frustration toward this young man who harmed this innocent worker. I really do. I will say that with good program and good interventions I have seen very impaired aggressive children be able to gain functioning and change behavior. But it takes a lot. Characterizing this young man's family or anyone's family as trying to shift the responsibility to someone else is not fair as there are many people who really are just trying their best in a very difficult and devastating situation. JMHO

Strongly agree.

Also, most parents have full time jobs. When a child is at school, the parents' "free time" is being used to:
- Earn an income and pay for health insurance
- Make doctor's appointments
- Care for other siblings
- Procure food and cook meals, cleaning the home, laundry and housework
- Chauffeur children to activities
- Call your insurance company who denied yet ANOTHER claim they were supposed to pay

 

[housewife]

I can think of a reason...Free "childcare" during the school hours means "free" time for Mom. Plus, the school is on the hook to pay for all the therapies and special high tech learning aids he needs that may cost thousands of dollars. Mom doesn't even have to find a ride or use her gas to take him to appointments, because they do most therapies at school. Medicaid picks up a lot of the costs, also. Maybe he qualifies for the meals program, and the cost for a tech to sit with him all day. No way Mom could afford all of that.
Educators out there... tell me if I am wrong.

Mom still needs to transport the child to school and back. Or pay bus fees (like me).
If he qualifies for a meal program, how is that related? I don't understand.
Is your main concern the cost of teaching people with special needs? I agree, it is too expensive and most parents cannot afford to pay for a private paraprofessional out of pocket.

I guess I'm wondering, do you think this kid in particular is wasting tax dollars or all special-needs kids everywhere?

 

[airportwoman]

Mom still needs to transport the child to school and back. Or pay bus fees (like me).
If he qualifies for a meal program, how is that related? I don't understand.
Is your main concern the cost of teaching people with special needs? I agree, it is too expensive and most parents cannot afford to pay for a private paraprofessional out of pocket.

I guess I'm wondering, do you think this kid in particular is wasting tax dollars or all special-needs kids everywhere?

All children deserve the best education they can have, and if they require accommodations, they should be done. I do agree that there are some types of people (profound mental disabilities being the main one) for whom any kind of "education" is an exercise in futility, but those aren't my decisions to make.

Some of the alternative schools for "normal" kids who have behavioral problems, often due to lifelong trauma, are also basically legally mandated warehouses. I'd probably get banned if I posted here what the people I knew who taught at one of those "schools" in my old town (and yes, they CHOSE to do it) believed. I did tell that to a woman I know who teaches at a regular high school, and she said that the alt-schools here have very strict rules, so they won't be as appealing to kids who try to get themselves sent there.

 

[maconrich]

I'm not quite sure how to express my thoughts regarding this article. To be honest, I'm a bit baffled that the paraprofessional seems to be, IMHO, saying she knows more about this young man than his mother or the specialists that work with him do. And for now I'll leave it at that.

Activists want light sentence for student who beat teacher over confiscated Nintendo

The teacher's aide suffered two broken ribs and multiple bruises.

wlos.com

 

[maconrich]

This article has a bit more including:

"The Rhode Island native, 59, moved to north Florida’s Palm Coast two decades ago and first worked in the Flagler County School District beginning in 2003.

After toiling in the Matanzas High School cafeteria for nearly two decades, Naydich pursued the certifications necessary to become a paraprofessional classroom aide.

With two of her children in the district, the position allowed her to remain close to them throughout the day while also earning a living.

Naydich first encountered Depa, an autistic teen, in January 2022 in a special needs classroom. She provided assistance to the primary teacher, ensuring Depa and his classmates made it to their various destinations throughout the day."

Teacher beaten unconscious by 270-pound student over Nintendo Switch tells The Post he spat in her face, called her a ‘whore’

“I grabbed my backpack and my sweatshirt and I got up to leave the class. The energy changed in there. I just wanted to remove myself from it,” Joan Nydich told The Post.

nypost.com

 

[c@tw0man]

Student with autism who attacked teacher's aide over Nintendo Switch is suing school district

An 18-year-old high school student with autism who attacked a paraprofessional for threatening to take away his Nintendo Switch has now filed a lawsuit against the school district.

lawandcrime.com

 

[c@tw0man]

Student with autism who attacked teacher's aide over Nintendo Switch is suing school district

An 18-year-old high school student with autism who attacked a paraprofessional for threatening to take away his Nintendo Switch has now filed a lawsuit against the school district.

lawandcrime.com

It figures. Let's blame the school, the staff, the clear blue sky. So tiresome, everything that this brute does will always be someone else's problem.

 

[Chimera]

It figures. Let's blame the school, the staff, the clear blue sky. So tiresome, everything that this brute does will always be someone else's problem.

I'm curious what the outcome of his lawsuit will be ?

 

[Mimimom]

It figures. Let's blame the school, the staff, the clear blue sky. So tiresome, everything that this brute does will always be someone else's problem.

He had an IEP which is a Legal document that must be followed . He also had a behavior plan in place. Those documents were Not followed. If they were, this may not have happened. So they carry some blame here.

 

[airportwoman]

Did HE file the lawsuit? I'm having a hard time believing that he's capable of doing such a thing.

 

[Mimimom]

Did HE file the lawsuit? I'm having a hard time believing that he's capable of doing such a thing.

Probably his mother since he was a minor at the time. they are asking for support for his needs.

The filing is asking for “compensatory education for academic, communication, independent functioning and social emotional supports and services, placement in a behavioral therapeutic school with wrap around services designed for students with severe behavior disorders paid for by the district, reimbursement for any out of pocket expenses included but not limited to tutoring expenses and mental health supports and services; reimbursement of costs, including fees, and any other relief this court deems just and equitable.”

 

[Mimimom]

I'm not quite sure how to express my thoughts regarding this article. To be honest, I'm a bit baffled that the paraprofessional seems to be, IMHO, saying she knows more about this young man than his mother or the specialists that work with him do. And for now I'll leave it at that.

Activists want light sentence for student who beat teacher over confiscated Nintendo

The teacher's aide suffered two broken ribs and multiple bruises.

wlos.com

Amazes me when people think they know so much. My guess is she didn't like him before this happened. What happened to her is horrible and possibly could have been avoided. I don't think he should go to prison, he has a documented history of behavior problems, he was living in a group home. According to his mother she didn't agree with his school placement but they assured her it would be ok. We need to do better with these kids

 

[kaen]

Probably his mother since he was a minor at the time. they are asking for support for his needs.

The filing is asking for “compensatory education for academic, communication, independent functioning and social emotional supports and services, placement in a behavioral therapeutic school with wrap around services designed for students with severe behavior disorders paid for by the district, reimbursement for any out of pocket expenses included but not limited to tutoring expenses and mental health supports and services; reimbursement of costs, including fees, and any other relief this court deems just and equitable.”

Many of my students have families (mainly parents) who file for guardianship when they are fairly young. If this is the case, his family can file for him regardless of his age. His educational plan is most likely in force until he is 21. At 21, he would shift from being under the auspices of IDEA and the concept of FAPE (Free Approriate Public Education) to being covered under the ADA.

 

[EllaMinnowP]

Prosecution presents case in Brendan Depa sentencing, Joan Naydich testifies

In response to a question from the judge, a psychologist said Brendan Depa had more self-control than he showed in the attack.

www.news-journalonline.com

…

Attorney’s got through roughly half of the sentencing hearing on Wednesday before running out of time at 5 p.m. Circuit Judge Terence Perkins said the sentencing will be completed at another hearing to be scheduled for this month at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center in Bunnell.
…
During cross examination, Depa’s attorney, Teifke, asked Naydich about Depa’s individualized education plan, or IEP.
…

Teifke asked her if she was aware that the IEP stated that Depa should not be reprimanded in front of his peers and that transitions such as moving from one class to the other or changes in routine can be triggers for Depa. Naydich said she was not aware of that. Teifke said that there was a change in routine in that there was a substitute teachingt the cyber security class.

He also noted that Depa had arrived at school that day saying he had nothing to eat at the group home the previous night, but Naydich told him he had to wait while they waited for the other students.
…
Dr. Gregory Prichard, a psychologist and a state witness, testified that Depa had been diagnosed with autism, intermittent explosive disorder and other disorders.

Prichard said that Depa was intelligent, but he also said he was dangerous, and his size — 6 feet 6 inches and over 200 pounds — added to the danger.

Prichard said Depa’s outbursts were not premeditated but rather an immediate, emotional response.

Prichard agreed with Tiefke the incident could have been a manifestation of Depa’s disability.
…
“It sounds like we are here to determine what is the price to be paid for actions that are a result of a disability,” Tiefke asked.

Prichard responded that he was not sure if that was “a fair characterization or not.”
…

Judge asks if attack on Naydich was intentional​

…
Prichard gave a somewhat long response and said it was difficult to answer. But Prichard said he believed that Depa had the “capacity to behave differently” but can also be reactive.
“I think he had some control — certainly more than he showed,” Prichard said.

(Emphasized by me)

 

[EllaMinnowP]

Victim speaks at sentencing hearing for Flagler County teen with autism who attacked teacher's aide

The attack on paraprofessional Joan Naydich by then-17-year-old Brendan Depa was caught on video inside Flagler County's Matanzas High School and has ignited a national debate.

www.abcactionnews.com

…
The attack on paraprofessional Joan Naydich by then-17-year-old Brendan Depa was caught on video inside Flagler County's Matanzas High School and has ignited a national debate over what punishment a student with special needs should receive.
…
By Monday, a second date is anticipated to continue the sentencing hearing. That is when we expect to hear from Depa's mother and a special education teacher who has been working with him in jail.
…
In the sentencing hearing, the state asked Naydich if there was anything she wanted to tell the judge regarding what she thinks should happen to Depa.

“Life is about rules and responsibilities, and nobody is above that. Including Brendan," Naydich said.

BBM

 

[Mimimom]

…
During cross examination, Depa’s attorney, Teifke, asked Naydich about Depa’s individualized education plan, or IEP.
…

Teifke asked her if she was aware that the IEP stated that Depa should not be reprimanded in front of his peers and that transitions such as moving from one class to the other or changes in routine can be triggers for Depa. Naydich said she was not aware of that. Teifke said that there was a change in routine in that there was a substitute teachingt the cyber security class.

Prichard said Depa’s outbursts were not premeditated but rather an immediate, emotional response.

Prichard agreed with Tiefke the incident could have been a manifestation of Depa’s disability.
…
“It sounds like we are here to determine what is the price to be paid for actions that are a result of a disability,” Tiefke asked.

Sounds like she was not informed/ qualified to be supervising this child. She should be blaming the school for putting her in this situation.

 

[Ziza]

I was a substitute teacher in high schools for a few years. You don't see this often. When it comes to children on the spectrum, there are ways of doing things that don't upset them so much. The thing is, someone trained in this should have been called. I wasn't afraid of my students, but there were some that needed a different touch. One of my students was friends with my son and spent time (overnight) at our house and went on to kill 2 women. You just never know. If they knew this student was on the spectrum, then they knew they should have handled it differently.