Christie's Developmental Center Task Force member continues to speak out against governor's policies

BY SALVATORE PIZZURO

COMMENTARY

The outspoken member of the Governor’s Task Force on the closing of the State’s Developmental Centers continues to provide alarming information on the manner in which Christie’s policies are being forced on caregivers, in violation of the civil rights of people with developmental disabilities and their families.

The Task Force cites a specific case:

“As an example, I have a person with Personality Change d/t Seizure Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder, who suffers from neurodermatitis. Several years of working with staff on her behavioral incidents that did require mechanical restraints for her protection have ceased. However, her skin condition precludes her from going outside if temperatures are not ideal. She also does not fare well on long outings. She does enjoy outings with her preferred staff (several of whom have worked with her for over 10 years). Her guardian is opposed to community placement, but the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) has to come to an independent conclusion.

She is non-verbal and has a Mental Age of 1 yr. 3 months, so her means of communication is only of discomfort/ pleasure. Using the criteria set by Central Office, 'Does she enjoy outings? Does she adjust well to change? Would she benefit from a smaller/ quieter environment? The IDT has responded no - she is not community ready. We have to 'make' her community ready, so she will now have to go out on community outings that are longer in duration, with unfamiliar staff for the next three months until the IDT meets again to report on how she responded and we will have to meet again, and again, and again until we have made her community ready. Ethically, we are violating her rights - morally, we are committing torture on this individual because she does not have the cognitive ability to understand why she is being forced into these uncomfortable situations."

According to the Task Force member, professionals, who are charged with the responsibility to make decisions based on diagnostic and prescriptive data, are being forced to alter their recommendations (which in essence falsify their clinical findings) in order to adhere to the Governor’s policies. As the Task Force member indicates:

“Currently, the social workers are not allowed to talk to the families regarding community placement - if the family contacts them, they are to push for community placement, even if they don't feel it's in the individual's best interest.”

The very lives of vulnerable citizens are being manipulated in pursuit of policies that are designed to save money at the expense of these individuals. The current State Administration must understand that placing a person with a severe disability in an environment where appropriate services cannot be delivered can have tragic consequences. Many of these individuals require round the clock care, which includes the administration of medication by qualified professionals, and the monitoring of significant symptoms that can impact on survival.

Dr. Salvatore Pizzuro, a Disability Policy Specialist, holds a doctorate in Developmental Disabilities from Columbia University and an advanced degree in Disability Law from New York Law School.