I just want to start out saying that I have a degree in political science, while studying at OU in…read morepursuit of a second degree in sociology with a niche in criminology. My child attends this place and has been going on two years, give or take. I have had several instances of occurrences with this company regarding communication and covert discrimination. My child's mom and I have a 50/50 custody arrangement through the district court, and he attends on days that I do not have him in my care/custody. To balance this, I requested that I receive updates regarding treatment and his behavioral progress, with emphasis on any negative or new behaviors. I have been in direct contact with the director of this place regarding these issues/concerns of mine and have been lulled in to thinking we were on the same page. Just recently (last week), I heard about him urinating on one of their walls of the facility. How did I find this out? Through my son (9 with developmental disabilities) and my daughter (7). I didn't receive any calls messages from their mother, but more importantly I didn't receive any kind of calls or messages from the facility. I called today and asked to speak with the director, asking questions about what transpired and why I wasn't reached. She told me she didn't have the full details and that that's not how they do things at that facility. This contrasts the communication between us previously which she explicitly let it be known that Forever Learning would be transparent with me about my sons treatment regarding any negative or new behavioral occurrences while he attends treatment. My child's mother whipped my son, whom is diagnosed with 3 types of neurodivergent disabilities (autism, adhd, and moderate intellectual disability), for the urination incident he had while attending there. I let it be known that the way he is and has been disciplined by his mother is causing outbursts of benign behavior and overstimulation, and I was interrupted by the director telling me to take that up with his mother. This was also the first time I was told that he has been having behavioral issues daily. After being told by the director "that's not the way we do things here", regarding regular updates on my sons treatment while there, she subsequently followed up with that if I didn't agree with the way things were that I could "take him out the program". Again, this contrasts what we have discussed through email and over the phone regarding his treatment. When I mentioned the previous communication, I was met with a dismissive discourse, a lack of understanding ethics policy as defined by the BACB, and accountability. I told them I would be reporting the hostility to the BACB, and here on google. This is not the first occurrence as it is the final one of several, including a hostile email I received from their receptionist regarding attendance. I have been extremely flexible with them because it is a small black owned business, but that has only led to an increase in hostility towards my inquiries, a lack of respect, and a diminished sense of trust.
The smiles and gentle disposition quickly faded when I started asking questions, then I was told I could speak with their lawyer about it. So that's what I intend on doing after filing with the BACB and any other behavioral business association I can find to hold them accountable.
PS: If you value accountability and transparency, I would highly recommend you find somewhere with a little more history underneath their belt as a facility treating children with various types of neurodivergence. I know finding a reasonable place is challenging but there are some out there.This is not about grown adults, it's about the well being of our children and I take that very seriously.
Shertaurus, I am deeply disappointed in the stance you took with me on the phone today and hope you don't come across a person with the resources to legally hold you to account. I'm sure you don't treat everyone that way, more importantly the mothers that trust you and your staff to uphold the values and ethics that come with the position you signed up for and are contractually obligated to. I truly believe you undermine my presence because I'm an educated African american male and you favor my son's mother because she isn't as inquisitive. We've had some really decent conversations as two educated parents of children with developmental disabilities, and as a father, I am truly disappointed this is what it had to lead too.
