The News Journal from Wilmington, Delaware • Page 5

Clair leaves questions on care of autistic children the field of autism were interviewed. The findings of the state and the newspaper are similar. The state says Au Clair has been operating in violation of state regulations for programs, staffing and organization of private residential child care facilities. The most striking among these findings is the unprofessional use of punishment, known in edcuational jargon as "aversive procedures," at the school. The state investigation concluded that these procedures were used repeatedly without proper planning and montitoring to see if they would work.

At times, former staff members have said, the use of punishment was violent and abusive. At least twice in the past year the divison was called to Au Clair to investigate possible cases of child abuse. No charges have been filled in those cases, but the calls became the catalyst for a major investigation of the school. At times, the attorney general said he considered bringing criminal charges against the school's executive director and other staff members, but decided instead to try and make the school a better place and force it to comply with state regulations. the telling of the second Au Clair story had begun.

Continued from Page One In 1969 Mazik and his wife Claire started a small school for autistic children. They ventured into horse racing in 1971. The gamble paid off. Two years later they bought a filly named Silk Stockings. By the time her fabulous racing career ended in 1977 she had won about $800.000 and Au Clair had become famous as the "school saved by a horse." There was even talk of making a movie about it all.

Everyone interviewed about the school agrees that Mazik is one of the strongest personalities they have ever met. They describe him as an intelligent man, who possesses an incredible ego and a volatile temper. They said his strongest characteristic is his instinct for salesmanship, a gift for talking anyone into believing what he believes. Mazik's gift for selling the school and its program to parents includes selling himself. He has told reporters that he has a master's degree from Temple University and is a clinical psychologist.

But Mazik does not have a master's, the state and the News Journal confirmed. Mazik claims he never said he had those credentials, only that he has the equivalent of those degrees, but he did attach an M.A. to his name after an article he wrote for Au Clair's staff booklet. The former staffers also recall times when Mazik deliberately misled parents about the use of a computer and a videotape unit at the school as part of their child's therapy. However, the ex-staff members have said that the children were often photographed the same day while wearing different clothes to give the impression that the tape was made on different days.

Mazik has said he never misrepresented the school's programs to the public and the parents. On June 6, the Au Clair school was given 60 days by the state to comply with major licesning requirements or be closed. The state's report is the summation of an investigation that involved members of the division, the attorney general's office, former Au Clair staff members and a team of three recognized experts in the field of on the record Births Wilmington Medical Center CHRISTIE Brenda and Joslyn P. 810 General Division Peachtree Road, Greentree Apartments, Claymont, July 19, son. CLEAVER Elizabeth and Parke, 39 Reamer Bellemoor, July 19, daughter.

HERHEI Nancy and George, Elm Creek Road, Cochranville, July 20, daughter. HILTON Maureen and Bruce, 408 Eastman HINKSON Road, Jane and Richard, 2422 Riddle Northwood, July 19, daughter. July 19, son. A Sumpter HUGHES Road, Susan Pennsville, and N.J., July Charles, 20, 2 son. Fort MILLS Betty and Roy, 23 Bradley Drive, Becks Landing, July 20, daughter.

ORFETEL Denise and John, 181 Harbor Drive, Harbor House Apartments, Claymont, July RAPUANO Ruthann and William, 17 Rawl10, daughter. ings Drive, Pigeon Run, July 19, son. SNYDER Cynthia and Robert, 16 Waltham Kimberton, July 19, son. and William, School STAFFORD Linda Bell Road, Bear, July 19, daughter. SUDHINDRA Poornima and Rana New- 6-A Florence Circle, Woodshade Apartments, ark, July 19, son.

Kent General Hospital CARTER Georgia and Leon, Hartly, July, 18, son. DRUMMOND Judy, Dover, July 18, son. GRIER Deborah and Larry, Felton, July 18, son. McCRAY Lydia and Douglas, Harrington, July 17, daughter. PENNEWELL Vicki and Stanley, Smyrna, July 16, daughter.

STEVENS Virginia and Kenneth, Dover, July 16, son. Milford Memorial Hospital BOWE Ethel and William, Ellendale, July 17, daughter. GRIFFITH Carol and Joseph, Milford, July 17, son. Peninsula General Hospital STOKES Sally and Richard, Georgetown, July 19, son. The News -Journal, Wilmington, Au Clair.

School, the home of the fabled harness racing horse Silk Stockings, takes on a stately air in the quiet countryside surrounding it. (Staff photo by Donaghey Brown) In May 1978, a social services division worker was called by an Au Clair staff member who reported that eight or nine children had been excessively bruised and beaten. The report to the division found that there was evidence of abuse, but not enough to close the school. In November, the division was again called to the school to examine a child who had allegedly beenbeaten over the weekend by Mazik. The worker reported that a belt or other instrument was used, judging from marks on the child's back.

and former staff members have said the child's face was also badly be beaten. Mazik said he never used a belt with the child, whom he described as self-destructive and in need of control that' night. Mazik said he brought the child off the top bunk and to the floor to calm him before the child hurt himself. Both instances were documentec in the state's report but censorec from the copies released recently to the public because officials said it contained a child's name. Sources have confirmed that the information reamins in the official report.

Former employees have told the News-Journal papers of other incidents invovling abuse at the school. incidents that often involved beatings with a 3-foot-long plastic whiffle-ball bat and a riding crop. (Their stories will be in tomorrow's article.) Mazik also points out a memo signed in September by nine staff members that states the "use of aversives is strictly forbidden at the Au Clair school. An open hand on the child's buttocks may be used if appropriate. Exceptions will be made only with expressed permission of the director.

Any violation may result in suspension or expulsion of the staff members." Mazik said he always uses positive reinforcement techniques before negatives. He said many of the procedures used in controlling the children when they are in danger to themselves and others are not aversives, but are restraints. State regulations require that one person in every child-care facility be responsible for the service and operation of the facility, and that he is responsible for the supervision of all personnel. The report stated that "Mazik has been unable to effectively carry out his responsbilities as executive director" because he is not at the school enough and does not communicate with staff members. park.

Accident. Wilm Manor Fire Company. 12:50 a.m. Delaware 896 at Howard Johnson's Restaurant, Newark. Accident.

Aetna Hose Hook Ladder Company. 1:17 p.m. 51 Augusta Drive, Chestnut Hill Estates, Newark. Washdown. Aetna Hose Hook Ladder Company.

2:14 p.m. DuPont Hall of Records, Barley Mill Road. Faulty alarm. Talleyville and Elsmere fire companies. 2:33 p.m.

Delcastle High School parking lot. Unfounded. Belvidere and Millcreek fire companies. Kent County July 19: Au Clair St. Georges 4:41 p.m.

U.S.13 southbound, south of Garrison's Lake. Accident. Cheswold Fire Company. 10:49 p.m. U.S.

13 at Rodney Village, Accident. Camden- -Wyoming Fire Company. 11:24 p.m. Delaware 9, north of Persimmon Tree Lane. Accident.

Leipsic Fire Company. July 20: 1:07 a.m. 6 Congress Place, Capitol Park. House (false). Robbins Hose Fire Company of Dover.

a.m. Dover-Hazelville Road. Accident. Camden -Wyoming Fire Company. 3:04 a.m.

419 Collins Drive, Capitol Green. House. Robbins Hose Fire Company of Dover. 3:28 a.m. 456 Sussex Capitol Green.

House. Robbins Hose Fire Company of Dover. 9:01 a.m. Accident with injury. U.S.

13 and Webbs Lane. Camden Wyo 10:39 a.m. Duck Creek Parkway, Smyrna. Washdown. Citizens Hose Company.

11:46 a.m. 930 Lockneath Way. House. Camden- Fire Company. Sussex County July 19: 10:30 a.m.- Salisbury Plaza, Salisbury.

Assist Salisbury Fire Company. Delmar, Laurel, Seaford, Blades, Bridgeville, Georgetown, and Milton fire companies. 3:45 p.m. U.S. 113, north of State Police Troop 4.

Accident. Georgetown, Milton, and Millville fire companies. July 20: 1:29 p.m. Hershey's Trailer Park. Air conditioner.

Seaford Fire Compny. 3:32 p.m. N. Sixth Street, South Bethany Beach. House.

Bethany Beach Fire Company. Cecil County, Md. July 19: 5:23 p.m. Maloney Road and U.S. 40.

Washdown. Singerly Fire Company of Elkton. July 20: 1:44 a.m. Dogwood Road and Maryland 545. House.

Singerly Fire Company of Elkton. Saturday, July 21, 1979 5 behavior therapy for autistic children. In April those experts visited and reviewed the school at the division's request. Though noting that the staff seemed dedicated and willing to help, the experts found the school lacking in several areas, the. most critical being the unprofessional use of punishment, or as they refer to it, aversive procedures.

Their review played a strong role in the state's decision to take action against the school. Copies of that review, the state's report and the division's letter of denial to the Maziks was obtained by the News-Journal papers recently under the Freedom of Information Act. The experts' findings differed sharply from the description of the school given by present staff members and by parents. There are 30 young people at Au Clair from New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Massachusetts (there are no students from Delaware). Their parents staunchly support Mazik and the school he runs.

About a dozen parents have been interviewed by the News-Journal papers, and almost all praise Au Clair. They take Mazik's side in the controversy over using strict punishments as part of the therapy for autistic children. (Their comments will be included in the third part of this series.) The controversy over "adversives" continues among experts on autism. Some feel punishment should not be used at all, but others like Mazik feel there are times when it has to be used. However, all the experts interviewed by the state and by the News-Journal papers agreed that if punishment is used, it must be done under carefully controled conditions conditions not met at Au Clair.

Mazik has called the state's report "scurrilous" and "the most unprofessional work I have seen." Mazik said that neither he nor his staff were consulted about the school before the report was written, a move that he considers to be a gross injustice. He said the report was the product of "disgruntled" employees who have been fired or who quit in the last several years. According to Attorney General Richard S. Gebelein, those interviewed by the state office from November to March included former and present staff members. Mazik said he also believed that his former wife was responsible for stirring up problems for the school.

Since their divorce in June 1978, the two, have been involved in a bitter property dispute. Mrs. Mazik's position is that she had nothing to do with the investigation. She said recently that "I have a lot of love for these children, and everyone seems to be forgetting that they are the important thing. If Mr.

Mazik is as dedicated as he says he is. there is no reason that the Au Clair school could not be the biggest and the greatest school ever. I would love to see the school continue, and to see Mr. Mazik comply with the report." L. Vincent Ramunno, Mazik's lawyer, said that the state, which has not had a formal licensing procedure since 1975 has "all of a sudden set up a licesning procedure and taken on a nationally known, reputable school.

When you get to the top of the hill, someone will always try to knock you down," he said. Sources have said that it was the most difficult licensing case the state had ever handled, and at times those involved were uncertain of what steps to take to ensure the safety of the children at Au Clair. Many involved, with the investigation said the reports of alleged child abuse to the division and Marriage Licenses New Castle County Charles E. Jones, Wilmington, and Doris M. Everts, Newark.

Donald C. Fitzgerald Wilmington, and Debra Sue Blaine, Newark. William F. Binck, Wilmington, and Linda S. O'Neill, Wilmington.

Richard J. Neiman, Richmond, and Mary Jane Tingle, Wilmington. Robert M. Graden, Bear, and Patricia E. Murdoch, Wilmington.

Raymond B. Higgins, Wilmington, and Arleen F. Williams, Wilmington. Donald W. Illingworth, Wilmington, and Carol G.

Deegan, Wilmington. Thomas L. Carroll, Newark, and Ginger White, Newark. Michael P. McNally, Wallingford, and Donna L.

Lendzioszek, Wilmington. William E. Doison, Claymont, and Nancy M. Johnson, Claymont. Fola Oladoyinbo, Wilmington, and Frances Brodie, Wilmington.

Harold S. Reksten, Newark, and Diane. J. Valencik, Newark. Jonathan M.

Johnson, Middletown, and Christine M. Williams, Wilmington. Robert B. Strohl New Castle, and Shirley A. Reynard, New Castle.

Wayne Fraley, Elsmere, and Grace R. Ritchie, Elsmere Sussex County William Kenton Seaford, and Rose Mary Priestly, Seaford. Jeffrey Chipman, Blades, and Carol Barnes, Blades. Ronald Clausen, Blades, and Grace Savage, Rehoboth. Stumbo, Dalton Pratt Bridgeville.

Greenwood, and Gwendolyn Elzie Morris, Lincoln, and Roberta Johns, Milton. Lindsey Benfield, Oiney, Maryland, and Suzanne Truitt, Rehoboth. Jay Hearn, Delmar, and Joanne Pope, Salisbury, Maryland. Carl Pearson, Lewes, and Karla Howard, Lewes. Carl Anderson Magnolia, and Debra Willey, Milton.

Robert Russo, Seaford, and Shirley Whaley, Seford. Stephen Sellers, Seaford, and Kelly Warford, Seaford. Brian Whaley, Laurel, and Carol Koch, Laurel. Larry Torbert, Laurel, and Faith Givens, Seaford. through former staff members would be too hard to prove.

"Maybe what we saw looked like child abuse to us, but the use of aversive procedures is so controversial today, we wouldn't have had a chance if we told Mazik to close the schools on those grounds. Our strongest focus," said a source in the attorney general's office, "is that we can say to Mazik, 'you are not doing what you say you are The attorney general's office became involved in the case in November when former school employees began coming to the office with reports of what they had witnessed. Regina M. Small, Matthew J. Lynch, Roger A.

Akin and Thomas Lapenta, all Gebelein's deputies at the time, were involved in the case. In November, the division began reviewing Au Clair's application for licensing renewal, and together the two offices began a joint investigation of the school. It continued until May 30 when Margaret J. Timko, head of children and youth services for the Pauline D. Koch, licensing coordinator for the same unit, made a final report.

It recommended that the school's application for license renewal be denied. The heart of the state's report, and of the concerns expressed to the News-Journal papers, focused on three main issues: the use of punishment or aversive therapy to control and train the children; Mazik's involvement with the school; the lack of staff and training. Punishments often are used to correct or control the behavior of an autistic child. This behavior may range from banging his head against the wall or biting his tongue, to continuous rocking, wiggling his hands in front of his face or eating his own feces. Experts agree that aversives that are painful should only used as a last resort when other less restrictive methods have been tried but failed.

Positive reinforcements such as a smile, verbal praise or a reward should be tried first. If those are ineffective, a painless aversive, such as depriving a child or something he likes, should be tried. If punishment is used, it should be planned, monitored and repeatedly recorded to see whether or not it is effective. The parents should be informed and give their consent in every instance. The punishment procedure for each child should be reviewed periodically by an advisory group.

And at all times those delivering the punishment should be well trained in how to handle the spanking or splashing or whatever. None of these steps have been taken at the Au Clair School, according to the state's report. To reach this conclusion, the state relied heavily on a review of the Au Clair program done in April by Patricia J. Krantz and Lynn E. McClannahan, co-directors of the Princeton Child Development Institute and Dr.

Dennis C. Russo, assistant professor of Pediatrics and Medical Psychology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The experts found that there is no individualized program for each child at Au Clair that defines or documents the use of punishment. They said only one written program of that type could be produced for their inspection. In compiling its own report, the state added that "additional painful aversive techniques include the use of instruments to deliver blows, dunkings in the swimming pool, blows to the head." The following incidents were documented in the state's report: Peter Walsh, and Sarah Mulrine, Brookline, Mass.

Fire Alarms Wilmington July 19: 8:29 p.m. Third and Franklin streets. unfounded report of accident. 9:26 p.m. 727 Bennett St.

Unattended cooking. July 20: 9:01 a.m. 1400 E. 12th St. Faulty alarm.

New Castle County July 19: 4:54 p.m. U.S. 40 and Wrangle Hill Road. Washdown. Christiana Fire Company.

5:01 p.m. 42 N. Skyward Drive, Breezewood. House. Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company of Newark.

5:07 p.m. 74 E. Main St. Newark. Auto.

Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company of Newark. 5:44 p.m. Barley Mill Road and Hoopes Reservoir. Accident. Cranston Heights Fire Company.

5:50 p.m. U.S. 13 southbound al Hares Corner. Accident. Wilmington Manor Fire Company.

6:25 p.m. 3506 Kennett Pike. Building. Elsmere, Talleyville, Cranston Heights and Five Points fire companies. 6:26 p.m.

Bambergers at the Christiana Mall. Rescue. Christiana Fire Company. 8:20 p.m. 127 Drummond Drive, Highland West.

House. Mill Creek Fire Company. 8:56 p.m. Old Coach and Upper Pike Creek roads. Accident.

Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company of Newark. 10:05 p.m. Cavaliers Country Club Apartments, Building 13. Gas odor. Christiana Fire Company.

July 20: 1:29 a.m. Charcoal Pit, 620 S. Maryland Ave. Trash. Five Points Fire Company.

2:21 a.m. Boxwood Road at General Motors plant east gate. Accident. Five Points Fire Company. 3:29 a.m.

Brandywine Plaza, Foulk and Grubb roads. Building. Talleyville; Claymont and Brandywine Hundred fire companies. 7:05 a.m. Entrance to Greenleaf Apts.

Accodent. Christiana. 10:00 a.m. 111 Brookdside Brack-Ex. House.

Elsmere and Cranston Heights fire companies. 10:25 a.m. Frenchtown and Basin roads. Accident with iniury. Goodwill of New Castle Fire Company.

11:50 Basin Road at the industrial Former staffers have said that Mazik was usually unavailable to talk with them regarding about problems. They said he provided little or no ongoing supervision, particularly during the evening and overnight shifts. Mazik said he is always in touch with the school, and its staff, and that they always knew how to reach him. He said the issue of lack of supervision was "poppy-cock" and pointed out that a supervisor is on hand for both the day and night shifts. "If there had been a fire at Au Clair, who knows if any would have survived," a former staffer said.

The report pointed out that from 12:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. only one person was on duty, a situation that apparently lasted for over a year in the period 1977-78. From 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., an average of three to eight therapists, the Maziks and two housekepers were on hand.

The state's report said that this was not enough to provide sufficient attention and instruction to the Au Clair students. The report also emphasized that staff members received little training when they started the job. According to the report, Mazik insists that staffers receive one month of intensive training when they start, but employees claim that the training is casual. There were other violations in the report that do not fall under the three main issues. For instance, menus were not planned by someone with special knowledge of proper nutrition.

Parental consent forms pertaining to care and treatment were found unsigned. And though each child-care facility is required by law to provide single beds with no overcrowding, the report said often five or six children at times slept in a single room with four beds. Mazik said the children receive adequate meals, and that parents are always aware of therapy programs used on the chilren. He said there were not signed consent forms for every procedures, however. He said the room in question with four beds was used very infrequently by five children, and never by six.

He said the room is used at night for those children with the most destructive behaviors. The social services division gave obituaries Helen E. Dervaes NAPLES, Fla. Helen E. Dervaes, 65, formerly of Wilmington, died Thursday in Naples Community Hospital.

Death was attributed to natural causes. Mrs. Dervaes moved to Naples from Wilmington seven years ago. She is survived by her husband, Albert; two sons, A. Rene Jr.

Unionville, and Robert of Kemblesville, a daughter, Ann D. Holton of Arlington, Texas; her mother, Mrs. George A. Egan of Waterbury, and five grandchildren. The funeral will be private.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Naples Community Hospital or a favorite charity. Margaret C. Amato Margaret Cecelia Amato, 64, of 108 Maple Hill Road, Forest Brook Glen, died Thursday in the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, Smyrna, after a long illness. Mrs. Amato was manager of the millinery department at Gaylord's before retiring five years ago.

Her husband, Frank, died in 1962. She is survived a son, Louis S. Cecelia of Colonial Heights; a daughter, Sarah J. Smithmyer, with whom she lived; two brothers, James Simpson of Wilmington and William Simpson of Alban Park; two sisters, Sarah Doyle Riccio of Richardson Park and Dorothy Nickerson of Hartly; and eight grandchildren. the school 60 days to comply with the following regulations: A program director, with complete autonomy to direct and implement therapy programs for the school, must be hired.

Therapy programs at Au Clair must be more carefully outlined and defined. Punishment may only be used for a student who has an individual treatment plan outlining that procedure. No such program may be implemented first unless parents or quardians and advisory committees have been informed of the program and consented to it. A peer advisory committee must be established. Mazik said he has already taken steps to organize such a committee.

There must be one teacher for every 12 students at all times, the state's report prescribes. It was strongly suggested that Au Clair consider having one teacher for every four students, the same ratio established by Delaware's Department of Public Instruction for programs serving autistic children. Mazik said he now has eight fulltime therapists during the day, and since receiving the report has hired a speech pathologist and a psychologist who may be used for the day shift also. In addition, three of the four staffers on the afternoon-toevening shift have been hired since the report, and three are now working on the midnight-to-morning shift. Au Clair must also correct other violations cited in the licensing report.

Mazik has until Aug.9 to meet the requirements. If he does not comply, he will then have another 30 days to appeal the state's findings. According to Ramunno, the problems with the state's recommendations have been worked out, and he does not feel they will appeal the state's findings. However, he did not eliminate that possibility completely. According to Mrs.

Timko, head or the division's children and youth servies, the Au Clair report "Is a test of the code and of our agency's authority to protect the children through licesning. If it does not withstand the test, then we should look to the state and the Legislature to see what role we should have." TOMORROW Eyewitness accounts. Services will be Monday afternoon at 2 at the Hirzel Suburban Funeral Home, 201 S. Maryland Elmhurst, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in St.

James Episcopal Cemetery. Newport. Morris Jacobs BALTIMORE Morris Jacobs. 85, died at his home here Wednesday of an apparent heart attack. Mr.

Jacobs had owned and operated A. Jacobs and Sons men's clothing manufacturer in Baltimore. He is survived by his wife, Ann two daughters, Cecil J. Reeder of Hockessin, and Bernice J. Janofsky of Baltimore; a brother.

Edward of New York City, four grandchildren and a great-grandchild. The funeral was Thursday in Baltimore. Lillian R. Wallace Lillian R. Wallace, 64, of 314 E.

Fourth died Thursday in the Delaware Division following a long illness. Miss Wallace was a retired seamstress. She is survived by three halfbrothers, James Wallace of Wilmington, James McClain of Avon Park, and George McClain of Camden. Services will be Monday morning at 10 at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 24th and Market streets, where friends may, call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery..