From time to time, parents of my young patients ask me about news reports they have seen when searching for my name on the internet.
The headlines of the reports give the impression that I am an advocate for corporal punishment as a way of disciplining children. People, including parents, who know me, know that this is not true. I am not, nor have I ever been, a supporter of corporal punishment as a way of disciplining children.
I am upset and disheartened that people who do not know me might be led to believe that I think hitting children is effective discipline.
It isn’t. That’s why I do not recommend it.
The news reports relate to a case in the State Administrative Tribunal four years ago. In relation to the case reported, it is true that I made a comment in a therapeutic setting that I ought not to have made. The Tribunal disciplined me and fined me for that comment, and I accept that outcome without reservation.
It is true the Tribunal did conclude it was possible that the words I used could have been misinterpreted (i.e. taken literally rather than as a metaphor). The Tribunal found that the expression I used, notwithstanding it was a metaphor, could still be interpreted as a recommendation to use physical punishment above a reasonable level. However, the Tribunal also found that no reasonable person would have interpreted the words literally and it did not accept or find that I ever intended the words to be taken literally.
I accept that I should have recognised that the words used could have been interpreted differently from that which I intended. I also accept that, at the time, I should have considered the possible consequences of those different interpretations as well. As a doctor, I agree I am and must be accountable for my actions.
However, I was hurt and dismayed to see some news media reports suggesting I recommended to the parents to hit their children. This is not correct. For example –
“WA paediatrician who recommended beatings for twin boys suffering from ADHD found guilty of misconduct”
The headline suggests that I knowingly recommended beating children. That was not the Tribunal’s finding. I would never say something of this nature in a literal sense, and I repeat I am not an advocate for corporal punishment of children, nor have I ever been.
Dr David Roberts
As a parent of a child who has been treated by Dr. Roberts for over six years, I can unequivocally
say that in my opinion those headlines are inflammatory and meant to sell stories as opposed to being newsworthy. Dr. Roberts is a thoughtful, caring doctor who has fantastic and creative ideas to help with parenting. I can’t imagine he would EVER condone corporal punishment. How distressing this must be for him! I have no reservations about my son continuing treatment with Dr. Roberts and wholeheartedly recommend him.
My son has been a patient of Dr Roberts for just under 8 years. I was upset by the headline suggesting that Dr Roberts was an advocate for Corporal punishment . This has not been my experience. My son has been a long-term patient and we look forward to his appointment as Dr Roberts has always treated myself and my son well . He gives intelligent and helpful advice with clear outcomes. I find his experience shows a wealth of knowledge . I find Dr Roberts to be a caring, thoughtful, thorough and brilliant doctor . His high level of intelligence and input has assisted my child immensely . I would highly recommend him . My son will continue to be a patient and I have no reservations concerning this . In fact I am grateful to have found such a valuable asset within Dr Roberts .
Both my son and daughter have been a patient of Dr Roberts since 2014 and during that time, I have found Dr Roberts to be professional, honest and straight to the point with his advice/recommendations, which I find refreshing. Dr Roberts has always had a great rapport with my children and my daughter, especially likes the magic tricks and his friendly approach during each consultation. I do highly recommend Dr Roberts as a Paediatrician and my children will continue to see Dr Roberts now and in the future. Thank you Dr Roberts, Donna and Carol for being friendly, professional and respectful each time my children and I attend a consultation.
Our son has been a patient of Dr Roberts for many years and is on the Autistic Spectrum with significant communication and behavioural challenges. From our first consultation with Dr Roberts we found a Doctor that listened to and understood our concerns, built a rapport with our son and dispensed relevant and intelligent advice.
Dr Roberts is a caring practitioner that has provided us a great deal of support with the challenges we have encountered. We are very grateful that we have Dr Roberts as part of our team.
Our son has been under the care of Dr Roberts for some time now. The moment we met Dr Roberts, I felt excited, as his attention to every detail made me feel confident we are in the right hands. We do not have time to waste, we need to get to the point and help our son and this is exactly why we will not go elsewhere.
He is caring, a good listener and fantastic with our son. He really “catches” the child
My son has been seeming Dr Roberts for 8 years. He has allways been friendly, honest and professional. He has a well established history in Paediatrics, thus I have always left his practice feeling confident that my son is receiving quality care. Dr Roberts is a very good Dr and a good person.
We were referred to Dr Roberts in 2014 and we stayed under his care until 2022 when he rightfully discharged us. During this time he was very open when he didn’t have to be. We always felt safe in his care and knew his interventions would help. Without him my child would have faded away – quite literally on multiple occasions. My husband and I have the upmost respect for him; his bedside manner is beautiful.