German Homeschooling Setback

Melissa Busekros

Melissa Busekros, a 15 year old German girl was being homeschooled by her parents when she was ripped apart from her family, taken into custody by the state and forced to undergo psychiatric evaluation. Her parents have not been allowed to visit her. German courts upheld the government's actions. More background here. Now the doctor's evaluation s in and it does not look promising for Melissa to be reunited with her family anytime soon. They say she suffers from 'school phobia':

In summary, the current clinical-psychiatric findings show that an emotional disturbance of childhood or adolescence exists in M.. It is linked with a severe school phobia and a massive self-esteem problem. (ICD-10: F92.0)

As it isn't furthermore not possible for the parents to judge the danger to their daughter correctly, and make the necessary decisions about the daughter's further development or the type and length of the treatment and the schooling, the responsibility for her residence, healthcare and representation before officials and authorities should rest with the youth welfare office in Erlangen.

Melissa Busekros was examined by us. She has a childhood emotional disorder, severe school phobia and an oppositional denial-syndrome. Melissa lacks insight into her illness and the need for treatment, and considers herself healthy and her behaviour fully normal. M. needs urgent help in a closed setting if need be, and subsequent special education treatment to ensure schooling.

By reason of the ascertained findings, at the present moment, we must proceed from the assumption that the child's welfare is endangered and also the conditions for inpatient placement a therapeutic special education facility are met. By reason of the severity of the symptomatology, the provision of stable and dependable contacts with peers and adult caretakers as well as the development of Melissa's very limited mental ability to cope with pressure can only be assured in such facilities.M. is incapable of leading the self-determined and self-structured life she wishes. The necessary measure is necessary for avoiding a considerable endangerment to her further physical and emotional development, and it can only be implemented in a special education setting, as previous experience shows that she whould avoid other measures.In addition, M. needs professional child and adolescent psychiatric treatment and care, that can be implemented in an outpatient setting. By reason of the detected clinical-psychiatric disorders, Melissa Busekros' psychological health has already deviated from the condition which is typical for the respective age for at least one year. M. has met the requirements for granting integration assistance as per (SGB VIII) §35a, section 1, sentence 2, No. 1, because without future professional therapeutic help there is the danger that her participation in the life of society is restricted.

'School phobia'? "Hell hath no fury like a bureacrat scorned".

hat tip: Freeper cornelis