A former teacher at Creekside Elementary School, is accused of abusing a nonverbal five-year-old student, leading to significant behavioral changes in the child.
The student's mother filed a lawsuit against the 63-year-old California man and the Poway Unified School District, alleging that the man's abusive actions were witnessed by school staff.
Following reports of the abuse, the man was placed on administrative leave and later resigned. The San Diego Police Department investigated, which was forwarded to the City Attorney's Office.
The former teacher has a prior child abuse conviction, raising concerns about his employment in the school district.
According to the source:
[The mother] said within a couple months of [the man] being Connor's teacher at Creekside Elementary School in the Poway Unified School District (PUSD), she noticed sweeping changes in her son's behavior.
For one thing, Connor didn't want to ride the school bus anymore. For another: He started hitting and biting his teacher's aides and lashing out at home. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/family-files-suit-accusing-former-poway-unified-staffer-of-abusing-autistic-boy-5/3648321/ (Oct. 14, 2024).
Commentary
According to his mother, her child displayed "sweeping changes" in behavior. Sudden changes of behavior are a common sign of an abuse victim.
Victims may change their behavior because of the psychological and emotional impact of the trauma they experience. Specifically, they may develop coping mechanisms that alter their behavior. These can include withdrawal, hypervigilance, or compliance to avoid further harm.
Abuse can also lead to feelings of fear, shame, and low self-esteem, which can manifest in changes in behavior such as anxiety, depression, or aggression.
Additionally, childhood abuse, neglect, and trauma can change brain structure and chemical function, affecting how victims regulate emotions and behave socially.
The final takeaway is that adults that work with children should not ignore sudden changes of behavior. If you have a reason to believe that a child has been abused, you must report what you know or believe to law enforcement or to child protective services.
