POV

I have been a middle school teacher for 27 years now, and thought I knew everything there was to know about kids. About 4 years ago, I decided to become a foster parent, and since then, have adopted an older child. The prerequisite training required before receiving my first foster child made me realize, that I knew very little about kids. Your film reiterated that sense of lack of knowledge, even with the 4 years of foster parenting. I could not believe how calm the staff consistently remained during the outbursts, name calling, spitting, cursing, etc; it is wonderful and relieving to see that there is a place for children like Alex and Mike to receive help, because those kids did not become that way on their own.

Thank you for such an inspirational film, which came at the right time, since I am currently in the process of being re-certified as a foster parent. Wow!

by Thomas Preston
July 29, 2009, 11:22 AM

I am a psychology major and so, I was naturally interested in the subject of this documentary. I was spellbound, so pleased with how calm and loving these teachers were...I would love to know about their training.
This gave me so much hope for our world.

by Donna
July 29, 2009, 2:35 PM

I was mesmerized by the film and can't stop thinking about it. I totally admire the patience and commitment of the staff. I felt so angry at the parent who promised to catch an earlier train the next time - like she was too busy to get there early! I wonder if I am blaming all the parents too quickly but I'm glad that some of the boys are in foster care.

by pat bilot
July 29, 2009, 2:49 PM

I am a clinical social worker experienced in working with children with these types of behavioral issues. While I greatly admire the staff for their dedication, patience, and caring, I was concerned with the amount of restraints documented in the film. I did not see as much about use of behavioral interventions to help children de-escalate before they got into crisis. I know how quickly things can spiral out of control, but restraints, whether by hand, arm or full basket-hold, should always be a last resort.

by Amy
July 29, 2009, 2:54 PM

Absolutely wonderful film....wonderful school...I was amazed at the patience of the staff.

by Martha Claire
July 29, 2009, 3:20 PM

This was a moving and enlightening film. Thank you for introducing us to these wonderful, challenged children, but also to the caring, uber-patient staff. Whenever I thought there was nothing that could be said to console these children, the words that came out of the staff's mouths astounded me with their gentleness and wisdom. Fabulous documentary, the kind that stays with you forever.

by Lisa
July 29, 2009, 6:03 PM

I actually was horrified at the treatment of these children. Their inner space (by demands to tell 'how they felt' and being told 'how they felt) as well as their physical space (being held down and confined) was terribly violated. I felt their rage. I hope that in the end they will still have some inner life and some autonomy left.

by Joanne Collier
July 29, 2009, 7:35 PM

I admire so much the patience and dedication of the school staff in dealing with these children. We have an adopted son with many of the same problems. In addition, he is also deaf. I understood how helpless each mother felt who came to visit her child. The staff did have to restrain the children, but it is necessary for the safety of all. I am sure other behavioral interventions are also used. This school is the last hope these children have to learn how to properly socialize. Thanks for a film that showed great hope and success!

by Cheryl
July 29, 2009, 8:32 PM

After my own life-long career as a chronic mental defective, I was so devastated and incredibly disturbed by nearly everthing I saw here -- BRAVO!!! Truly, educational television, IMHO, should nearly always be some form of disturbing, an important path to the educational process which is so often intentionally avoided.

I was disturbed by the intensity of emotional outbursts, the mood swings faster and deeper than a dam-break, but mostly the incredibly gifted teachers -reach- the very center of these troubled, tormented children. If not for the violence, cruelty and immense abuse in my own childhood, I would -=LOVE=- to be able to do this kind of work. Between what I've observed in the world and learned about my self, I just can't trust myself enough to expect to -always- remain appropriate, professional and internally disciplined. I gave up the dream of having my own children many years ago, for fear I'd take any chance of warping another life.

I am so very grateful to see there -are- people, -somewhere- in the world, who truly are plugging into the reality of mental illness and related emotional disturbances, equally unafraid to try new approaches, with calm, respect and incredible honor. Makes me feel warm fuzzies to know a better, easier path is evolving for at least some of those to come behind me. Many heartfelt thanks and appreciation to each of those involved in this school!

Much gratitude as well to Kim Longinotto for capturing this incredible story; it truly disturbs me on so many levels. By the fourth or fifth airing, I hope to be able to sit through it's entirety, and expect much healing and understanding of my own 'schisms' will undoubtedly ensue. I would also appreciate any info about specific training, the philosophy and a break-down of methods these teachers received to enable such effective ability to connect -through- the drama, trauma and chaos these children exude.

Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, the chaos of my broken mind, and the very pit of my troubled, struggling soul. Thank you.

by Two-trips-to-the-nutt-hut
July 29, 2009, 9:01 PM

OH, how I cried for Michael and Alex.

by Betty
July 30, 2009, 1:25 AM

First, as a music therapist in a school with a large population of special needs children, I would like to express my appreciation for the often overlooked part that MUSIC plays in reaching and teaching children. Over and over in this film the boys expressed so many happy things through music! I must admit that I cried when Michael sang and when Robert earned his CD player! Also, as a person who works daily in this environment, I was so blessed to see what is considered by so many an impossible way to operate with SED (severely emotionally disturbed) young students. The old school seems to hold on tightly to the "sit on their (students') heads and scream at them until they are intimidated into doing what they are being forced to do" philosophy of education.
My experience has been that these precious children can not learn anything by force, yet they respond beautifully when the teacher expresses respect and persistent acceptance of the child, while gently, calmly and consistently redirecting, guiding, and correcting toward what our society considers "acceptable" behaviors. When the children understand that their teachers only want what is safe and best for these children, and when better choices are presented and explained to them in a way that the child can understand, they almost always will try very hard to make those changes. They must have totally positive support 24/7 - The Mulberry Bush School seems to have put this into action. I am so glad that this film was made. It should be required viewing and study for all practicing teachers, administrators, and supervisors at all levels of education. Thank you so much!

by Elysa
July 30, 2009, 5:03 AM

Horrific.

As an Early Childhood Special Instructor, I was eager to see this film, hoping I might learn something from a school that is amazing enough to merit the filming of a documentary.

Instead, I spent so much of the film with my jaw dropped that I feel compelled to comment. I am appalled at the misuse of the abilities of these obviously loving, dedicated, intelligent, and wonderful adults in the ineffective-- and even damaging-- strategies in use in this school. So much of it is troubling.

There are no positive efforts to change the children's behavior, here. Some success and joy in playing the recorder is great, and it looks like something positive; but it's not. It doesn't directly address the problem behaviors. These children must be taught appropriate ways to communicate their needs and wants, as well as acceptable ways to behave in various settings. There are decades of scientific research on how to do this... without physical restraint, which is a negative intervention that only temporarily smothers a problem. The restraint, by the way, often seems to even serve the kids' wishes to escape from the academic demands being placed on them... it's actually teaching them that acting-out is an effective way to get what they want. (Right now, the children are running this school, fully in control of the adults.) Then, the "follow-up" meeting, I fear, is only teaching the kids how to give the right answers. Spewing answers about what happened or what they will do differently in the future doesn't, in any way, actually make it more likely that they will behave more appropriately in the future (plenty of adults do things that they Know they shouldn't do).

Another fear I have is that, while I know plenty about working with problem behaviors, I know nothing about the damage that is being done to these children when they are being pinned down, feeling powerless and enraged... I shudder to try to imagine the permanent psychological/emotional effects this will likely have on these children's lives, not to mention the fact that they are actually learning by example-- from every adult around them, during this critical stage in their lives-- that a good way to deal with things is to physically overpower someone. I am deeply saddened to say such a thing, but I pray that I never cross paths with one of this school's "graduates."

I hope that someone will persuade whomever runs this school to seek the consultation of a competent, experienced Behavior Analyst, who can show them the positive, effective strategies, which are based on hard science, to change the behavior of these children AND make them happier children who won't grow up to stab people... probably with half the number of staff that the school currently requires (108 adults to 40 children?!!).

Rather than a heart-warming story, this film should be viewed as an exposé of a school that's getting it terribly wrong.

by Mihailo S.
July 30, 2009, 5:58 AM

I am very interested in how exactly Mihailo S. would teach a child "appropriate ways to communicate their needs and wants" while a child is kicking, punching, and spitting. Simply saying, "No, Johnnie, it's not NICE to punch me in the face" is not going to stop Johnnie's outburst. As an early childhood special instructor, Mihailo S probably does not work with children large and strong enough to inflict serious damage if they choose to attack their caregivers.

The students probably ended up at The Mulberry Bush School because the "positive, effective strategies" that Mihailo S. is familiar with didn't work. It's now tough love time. And based on the school's excellent record at reducing violent behavior in SED kids, it works.

This comment has been edited for personal attacks.

by Shanna
July 30, 2009, 11:34 AM

I'm a 35 yr. old woman with ADHD. Was not diagnosed in my 20"s only because I saw the symptoms on the T.V. and contacted my Dr.. I would have love to have such loving caring people like them help me. I have missed out on so much in life, because when I was in school they didn't know about ADHD and put me in classes for children with learning disabilities. That was not were I needed to be. That class they put me in effected my whole life and still does to this day. They made me feel stupid. There are so many things I wanted to do in my life, but didn't because I thought I was stupid. I'm a intelligent woman, you don't know how hard it is to say that and mean it, because of yrs. of thinking I wasn't.

I don't want anyone to go through the pain I went through for so many yrs. I wish the best for those bright loving children the best in life. I cried so hard for them. I'm just lucky I had two loving excepting parents that never gave up on me. Thank you mom and dad.

Please, if you read this.... Try to put yourself in their shoe. With love, understanding, and patients is what they want and need.

by Kristen D.
July 30, 2009, 12:11 PM

What a shame that your update says that the boys went to foster families. Why weren't the parents treated and reeducated. They inflicted emotional pain on their children. The children had unconditional love for the parents.

by Candace Downing
July 30, 2009, 6:27 PM

The Mulberry Bush school is doing an impossibly difficult job with what clearly is a lot of success. The restraint methods look troubling but it is clear that these children are being dealt with in a loving environment. As to the parents, from what I know about life in modern Britain, the beer/drugs/unlicensed sex/me generation is producing terribly damaged children. There is no substitute for a stable home life and many parents have no clue what a stable home life means. I know from experience and I also know that many of these parents are not educable when it comes to self-discipline. I have just spent a month in England and, as usual, I was horrified by some of the adult behaviour I witnessed during that time.

Suzanna - a life-long teacher.

by Suzanna Byrne
July 31, 2009, 1:38 AM

Bravo to the staff of Mulberry School !

They have the self discipline and the patience of Job. I worked with emotionally troubled teens for many years. To have the training, maturity and forbearance to not strike out at a child who is spitting and continuously cursing at you is amazing.

I remember a serious incident with one of the boys kicking a male staff in the groin area repeatedly during a fight between two boys at one residential center I worked at. The staff finally lost it and pushed the boy away with a lot of force, making him fall. The boy complained to me. I told him that one of life's lessons that he must learn is that if you kick someone in the groin repeatedly .... it was very likely that person will respond violently towards you and that staff members must be respected by the boys too.

I knew there would be some who would criticize the use of the restraint shown in the film. Perhaps the staff could have given the child some warning that the child's behavior was slipping out of the child's control where some type of restraint was needed. Having the child in constant company with a staff member, who would hold the child's arm if needed seems acceptable. I never worked with any agency or care center that had the luxury of having the funds to afford that level of staffing.

Bravo to the film makers and the staff at Mulberry School for making the film and for having the courage to let the day to day incidents that staff must deal with be filmed.

by Traveler Al
July 31, 2009, 2:00 AM

Please do a follow-up documentary about Alex, especially. He is a brilliant, tender, and talented boy, potentially capable of emanating great beauty.

As an artist and college art teacher (for 40 years) of my own curriculum entitled Originality, I recognize the tension between the need for conformance with social norms and the struggle to realize individuality. Too often the latter is sacrificed for the former, usually blindly and without question as well as gradually and forlornly.

Many of the Show's viewers have commented on the restraining techniques, which though gentle and caring, are as disturbing as the punching, kicking, spitting, and violent language of the children. But, as children who have been rejected by their family, maybe the holding is what they're after, as the first step in getting the attention they've been denied. Perhaps, alternatively, they could be allowed to kick and scream alone in a room with cushions until they've expended their frustration and fury, and then be offered a more comforting "holding"?

The scene with Alex reaching out so urgently to his reluctant (repulsed) mother, and finally being restrained during his relentless pleading for her love by the School's staff, was such a stark demonstration of the heartbreaking dilemma he experiences every day of his life: he is not wrong to want connectedness to his parents and to want their love, yet he is in exile from them and is punished for showing his anguish. That he is "emotionally disturbed" seems to me to be a completely appropriate response to the conditions of his life. How is a child to behave "appropriately" in such a situation?

Art, whatever form, as the outlet for emotion through creative means, is effective for relieving the extremely pent-up feelings resulting from the emotional deprivation which landed these children at the Mulberry Bush School, along with all the kindness those adults, as parental surrogates, can provide.

by Adrienne L.
July 31, 2009, 2:01 AM

I like the way they talked to the children in the film and helped them understand how what they were doing affected other people. Today we are getting away from full restraints so I do not approve of these risky ways of dealing with behaviors.

As a mother who experienced too much of this with an autistic child, I am very much against full restraints. And, as far as autism, this is a different situation. Most of them you can't sit and talk to them about what is going on...unless they are high functioning and able to benefit from conversations.

I like the idea of sitting on a couch and talking to the children in the film. I like the mild approach that is not threatening.

by Martha
August 1, 2009, 11:00 AM

A remarkable and thought provoking piece of work. As someone who taught long ago and dealt with several extremely strong, out-of-control youngsters, I concur with the necessity for trained staff who know how and when to "hold"appropriately. Clearly these children are hugely needy - not your "garden variety, let's talk about it" kids. Kudos to the staff AND the children!

It would have been most helpful to have had more sub-titles for those of us who aren't familiar with the accents of the teachers and kids.

Also wonder about the school name; ". . the monkey chased the weasel"?- not such a great association for what seems an extraordinary school.

by Peg Martin
August 1, 2009, 5:31 PM

social worker too -

"I am a clinical social worker experienced - by Amy at 2:54 PM on July 29, 2009"

Amy, restraint used in this docu is the same restraint used in other Home/School environments. I was surprised to read your post especially since you are a csw.

Again I want to state. These youth were not special ed. They were behind in school work perhaps but these youth are troubled from troubled homes.

Not all families can be trained to be good parents. In addition, social service will not normally place youth back in the environment they come from. The parents would have had to make some drastic changes to even be considered to receive the child again.

by Ane
August 1, 2009, 5:56 PM

Padded Holding?
by Adrienne L. at 2:01 AM on July 31, 2009

Have you even seen a youth in a downward spiral in a padded room? I have and "it ain't pretty". It is better to have someone talking, comforting, even if being held firmly then in a padded cell.

I worked in the same environment. This is not rosy situation ever. The restraint is the best thing when the youth is not listening to directives that have been restated over and over.

These youth are very strong and strong will and no amount of talking will work when the minds are made up to act out.

by Ane
August 1, 2009, 6:02 PM

Since the making of this film Ben, Michael and Alex have been placed in foster homes. Is it common for children to go to a foster home? In the history of the school about how many have been able to go back to their families?

I watched on July 29th then again tonight on another PBS chanel. Kim Longioto and her photographer did a magnificent job of capturing the caring, struggles and success.

by M. Aunspaugh
August 1, 2009, 11:14 PM

It is ridiculous the way these children are catered to. What a bunch of silly psycho-babble. They need serious limits and consequences.

by Carl
August 3, 2009, 12:35 AM

Such a good film, I wish Ben Micheal and Alex all the best in secondary school

by Andrew
August 3, 2009, 12:45 AM

Heartbreaking yet inspiring. I applaud the school, the children and the producers
of this documentary. You have all triumphed against insurmountable circumstances and turned obsticals into
assets. Thanks to the caring, compassionate, and yet stringent guidance of the staff at the Mulberry School. Kudos to all of you and the future students to come. God Bless.

by Mom of EI
August 3, 2009, 1:29 AM

I am also a social worker, child welfare worker for children of abuse/neglect, and early childhood educator.

While I did find several modalities the school was using very beneficial and proven to work with behavioral/severe behavioral problems in children (art, music, etc), and some redeeming qualities and skills in staff on several occasions, I agree with Mihailo S., Joanne C., and Amy that the constant use of restraints is an old technique that the U.S. has tried and has begun moving away from for the most part in the last several years. Of course, there may be rare occasions/exceptions, only for physical safety of the child or other children, where a full/or partial physical/holding restraint may still be required (beware to check your state's Child Protection Laws and with Child Protection Services (CPS) before even thinking of using this method,-some may be against the law in MANY states), the use of strong, consistent behavioral modification techniques, and a prolonged mix of communication training, drama therapy, Gestalt Therapy techniques, Experiential therapy exercises such as Family Sculpting (etc), Intensive Family Therapy, Group Therapy and many, many, many other proven techniques would be MUCH more effective without inflicting more trauma on these fragile children. All this would be in addition to intensive Parent Ed classes, parent mentoring, and adult therapy sessions as part of their treatment plan.

I turned the program on late, so I missed the beginning, but then my mouth also hung open for several minutes when Ben who was happy, pleased, and proud of himself for washing the windows (I heard NO positive reinforcement for this) was the next minute being thrown on the floor and physically restrained after the other boy tried to interupt Ben's activity with his own idea.

I would have redirected the other boy, or at the very least, had him stop trying to crowd in on Ben to show him his better idea; to have him use his words to TELL Ben his idea and explain/help him accept it is Ben's choice to adopt his suggestion or not.

The other boy (can't remember his name) appeared to instigate the situation, and also needs to learn restraint and to accept that others may have their own ideas of how to do things as part of his own treatment.

Children that may have/or are diagnosed with Attachment Disorder (as many abused/neglected children do) may often appear to have that "'who me?' innocent look" but in actuality can be very manipulative. It is often very difficult to tell this is happening because of the "innocent" demeanor they project, as well as the difficulty in diagnosing attachment disorder criteria. I would be very cautious in this, because they are master manipulators at playing sides against one another.

I also did not care for they way the teachers continued to talk/rail at Ben as they were holding him down, which seemed to aggravate and prolong the episode, rather than either being quiet/silent so he could calm down and regain his composure before talking to him about what happened, what is acceptable/ unacceptable (setting expectations) behavior and gained his agreement about how he would conduct himself in future.

Some things were ok, but others, not - I am concerned about all the teachers watching this who said WOW! this looks like it works, and may try to use some of the techniques in their classrooms without gaining adequate training in their use. Everyone, please be cautious, here - get CE first before attempting - U.S. is different than England.

by kiwani
August 3, 2009, 1:32 AM

I also agreed with the concerns raised by kiwani, Mihailo S, Joanne C, and Amy.
I am sure there are wonderful moments and some overall progress for most of the children at Mulberry House, but I could not help but wonder about some things:

~ When the children were held down (restrained) it seems to me that they were sort of being reinforced to do what ever "bad" behavior earned the restraint - because they were getting a LOT of attention and touch. I did not see much other physical contact other than negative contact (restraint).

~ Why doesn't the program have more resources committed to working with the parents / families? On top of the emotional traumas that these children have been through, now they have the heartbreak of being removed from home and severed from parent(s). Five days a year for visits? No involvement of parents in the child's day-to-day living? No parenting education/support? This sends a messge to the child that their home of origin - their identity - is irreparable. These children clearly loved and longed for their parents. But hardly any efforts was made to help that relationship. Children need caregivers who don't just like them but who are IN LOVE with them, and they don't really get that in long-term institutionalization, no matter how wise and kind the caregivers.

~I also was frustrated and disappointed to see the therapists/caregivers repeatedly throwing out words of wisdom and advice and trying to reason verbally while the child was emotionally out of control. Kinda made me nuts to watch that.

by janni
August 3, 2009, 3:32 AM

I am the father of 5 sons, each with his own difficulties and struggles. One of my boys seems so much like Alex, that it was very natural for me to feel empathy for his painful and potentially destructive situation.

My son was diagnosed at 4 as being in the autistic spectrum, with either ADD or Asbergers, and was also very emotional in all his relationships with other children. He spent a year going to an early intervention program in our school district, with a ratio of 4 students to 3-6 teachers.

Being somewhat successful in that program, he was put into a regular kindergarden with 28 children for a half day, and had a very difficult time adjusting. He kicked teachers, he told them angrily that they were fired, and spent a lot of time explaining why he shouldn't have to do what the teachers were asking him to do. He was unhappy, we were unhappy, and his teachers were very unhappy because he was taking up all their attention.

Half way through the school year, we asked his behavioral psychologist if medicine (Ritalin) might help, and if we could start at the low end of the scale, just to see what might happen. The results over the Christmas break was very dramatic and helpful for him. His teachers couldn't believe the change, and even the psychologist was amazed that so little medicine could have an good effect.

Once the drama started to wind down, we were able to notice that he also had allergies that were bothering him when he went outside for playtime, which was also triggering problems with the teachers. Without these two medicines, Ritalin and Zyrtec, he was just as emotional as a keg of gun powder, and prone to go off at any moment.

The point of stepping through this 2 year period of my son's life is that there are lots of considerations that have to be made - the general physical and mental health of the child, his early education, his relationship to his parents and family, the environment in his home, how he is taught to handle disputes with other children, and countless other factors.

Restraint and discussion actually seemed to prolong the emotional outbursts because he wanted to be right so badly that he would continue to be angry through 1 to 5 timeouts.

The most telling statistic that gets quoted here in the USA is that a large number of people with undiagnosed or untreated ADHD self-medicate with alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes, which is very ineffective. On the other hand, children that receive attention early on, usually have stopped using Ritalin by their mid teens, because they don't need it anymore.

I am most grateful for all the efforts made by everyone - the doctors, the psychologists, the teachers, the local and state programs, family, and friends that have helped with my son.

My fears for Alex are that he might be in a situation similar to my son, and instead of receiving the help he needs, he will follow the common path of self-medication and set up the same conditions for any children he himself might have.

by Will
August 3, 2009, 5:44 AM

I was outraged at every scene I watched. I feel that the children were being mentally and physically abused throughout this program. There has to be a better way of teaching and loving children who have emotional and mental problems than restraining them and continuing to fuel the fire by asking them questions while they are being held down. Very disturbing.

by angela
August 3, 2009, 1:31 PM

A lot of us with autistic children could definitely relate to this film. I was a bit disturbed by the physical restraint, since I know that it escalates problems with my son. Like Will, I wondered if I was looking at undiagnosed and unmedicated agitation that could be mitigated by medical or biomedical treatment. My son's aggression and agitation fell significantly with the addition of 500 mg. of magnesium per day to his diet. Are these kinds of interventions being tried with these children?

by Pamela
August 4, 2009, 11:33 AM

thank you for this film.

by penguin from calgary, alberta
August 8, 2009, 2:50 AM