It’s understandable I guess, but kinda stupid, once you really look at it.

It’s interesting to learn about the reality of entry level recruiters who are making those initial phone calls. Not very inspiring.

I agree with one of the suggestions in the “makeover.” Be upfront and let people know in an email, etc.

And to remind you, teachers and staff aren’t generally allowed to communicate directly with parents. Not even for tiny things. E.g., I sent in a note with my child at the end of the first week of school ~ this was for third grade ~ to ask whether that grade was using the school trapper. No reply. Wrote again. Ditto. Finally told me when I brought it up ~ my question called for a yes or no answer, that’s all (plus $25) and the teacher sheepishly told me, that authorization to reply to that specific note was refused several times. Get used to it! The only conclusion I have is that the current teacher isn’t in Maari’s inner circle. Sadly, totally plausible.

I did make a complaint about my therapist. I filed a grievance at the end of my stay. They didn’t give my any definitive plan of action but I have heard since I left that some of this woman’s multiple duties were divided amongst other people.

The boy in question (or the boy I think this is) was obsessing over a girl and the staff were afraid they were going to kiss, hold hands, or have sex. All of those things are against the rules. He did get sent to a mental hospital, but the straw that broke the camel’s back was because he was violent and broke a few windows and ran around the classrooms with a big stick type thing. However, they did not let him out of the hospital because of the girl.

The communication with the staff is a huge struggle. A lot of them are largely unavailable. My therapist worked only three days a week, had the second biggest case load, and was also leader of my “Team” (group of peers), in house therapist at the local mental hospital, and clinical director of all of BCA. She expected to handle all these tasks working only three days. Most of the time she didn’t work the whole three days.

Often, I would come down to see her, for a scheduled appointment no less, and she would be nowhere to be found. I would have to run around looking for her, eventually finding out from some random person that she had gone home early and disregarded our appointment. This happened at least twice a month my entire stay there. Every time I confronted her on these matters she feigned innocence and made excuses. For example, on a break week she told me we could not have our scheduled phone call and therapy session because it was break week and I needed to participate in the activities. For some reason every other therapist was still conducting duties on break week and when I told another therapist that she had given such an excuse, that other therapist looked confused and apologized on my therapist’s behalf and went to intervene but to no avail. Other times we did not have our scheduled call because my parents “didn’t answer the phone.” Now that I have graduated, I have spoken to my parents about this and they said they had waited by the phone for hours and were never contacted. I swear there were times when I went weeks bordering on months without any kind of one-on-one therapy or contact with my parents. Eventually, at the very end of my stay, other staff heard about the extent to which I was being neglected and picked up the slack. This was very belated but much appreciated.

The severity of the neglect I experienced was unusual, but everyone who had this therapist had some time when the woman abruptly left or didn’t show up at all, leaving that unfortunate student bewildered and frustrated.

However there are good things too! Academically, the English and Humanities departments are great. Arts thrived while I was there and there are lots of opportunities for community service. And there are some staff who really do care. I hope they’re still there, because they really brighten up the place when it gets to be miserable.

Few more practical observations

!) Children with special needs should not be fed with fast foods regularly. They should be given nutritional traditional food. Shikanji, lassi, mango panna, jal jeera, soups etc. should be given priority over soft drinks.
2) Genetic chain linked with past generations – Genetic mutations. This needs detailed investigations and parents should not hide for information.
3) Lead toxicity in interior paints. Too much of artificial surroundings made with plastics, painted with toxic paints are not good for such children.
4) Often Parents have history of smoking, liquor consumption & drugs which has impact on their child
5) Quacks conducting dangerous pre natal tests or pre-natal care. A doctor who is merely an MD does not mean he/she is a super-specialist.
6) Self acclaimed neo-natologists treating infants
7) Counseling by experts is considered a social taboo whereas fact is there are people on sensitive posts requiring counseling to get relieved from stress.
Here in India, most of the psychologists, psychiatrists consider themselves as VIP playing very little role in treating millions of patients. Their fees is so much that even a super-specialists like Cardiologists, Oncologist do not charge.
9) Government hospitals including AIIMS does not have friendly atmosphere in treatment of such patients. Even the approach is sort of torture in these hospitals. Ask any parent, they will tell you reality. No one sticks to time schedule or appointment.
10) Family members should encourage the children but do not attempt to perform counseling under pressure. I have seen there is great impact by third person talking sense.
11) wherever opportunity is there, engage your child in outdoor games under supervision.