A Critical Examination of State Agency Investigations into ...

He could also become physically aggressive. He would pinch, grab or have atemper tantrum. Jonathan would also throw himself down, which his Anderson Schoolcaregivers called “flopping.” After dropping to the floor, he would refuse to get up andbecome aggressive to those who tried to move him.By 20 months, Jonathan was seeing four therapists twice weekly in the Careyhome for speech, special education, and physical and occupational therapy through anearly intervention program.Jonathan attended pre-schools with special education programs and, in 1998,entered a day program at the Wildwood School in Guilderland. While there, he wasassigned a one-to-one aide to assist in the classroom. Staff rotated out frequently due tothe intensity of the work, according to his Medicaid Service Coordinator, who wasassigned to the family in 2000 through OMRDD’s Capital District regional office. By2002, the Wildwood School discussed plans for physical intervention and the use of a“safe room” because Jonathan was exhibiting “hurting behaviors” such as “biting,pinching, [and] hair pulling.”Like some other parents of autistic children, Lisa Carey had read about a possiblelink between autism and casein, a protein found in dairy products. Throughout this time,Jonathan was placed on a casein-free diet. Proponents say that many autistic childrenhave trouble digesting milk protein and may have higher levels of protein by-products intheir blood, which may affect their behavior. Lisa Carey’s pediatrician approved the diet,although he reported that there was no medical data to suggest that Jonathan was caseinintolerant.54