DE SOTO, Mo. – A former De Soto special needs teacher is charged for her treatment of a non-verbal student with autism.
She is accused of endangering the welfare of a child after allegations that she used a spray water bottle to discipline the child, kicked a yoga ball at him, stood on his feet to keep him in place and pinned down his fingers when he was reaching for his tablet to communicate.
“It made me so mad and so sad and I’m just like, ‘I want to help this boy,’” said Elizabeth Galt with iPads For Autism.
Galt has autism and was non-verbal for the first six years of her life. Now, she has a non-profit that provides tablets to help people communicate.
“That’s his voice and without it, he doesn’t know what to do,” Galt said.
A witness told investigators that they witnessed the conduct multiple times between January 2024 and April 2024, but that it was not an everyday occurrence.
The alleged crime was reported to the sheriff’s office in May.
De Soto School District Superintendent Ron Farrow said the teacher separated from employment with the district in June—one month after the probable cause statement claims the alleged crime was reported.
Farrow said safety is the district’s number one priority.
He sent FOX 2 a statement, saying safety is their number one priority.
“Whenever we receive concerns about interactions between students and teachers, we begin an investigation immediately and place staff on administrative leave as necessary during the review process,” Farrow said in the written statement. “At the conclusion of the investigation, the district takes all appropriate measures to ensure the safe education of every student.”
The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast MO said people with autism are at higher risk of becoming a victim of several different crimes. However, there are signs, even if a child is non-verbal.
“Looking for differences in behavior. If they used to like to go somewhere and they don’t like to anymore, if they get anxiety about being around a certain type of person,” said Michelle Stille, director of Forensic Services with CAC.
Liz hopes her tablets can help others.
“By having an iPad or an iGaging tablet, they can tell you what they want,” Galt said.
The teacher does not have an attorney listed in the case yet. She is due for a court hearing on March 24.
For those interested in learning more about iPads for Autism, click here.