Page 12 - PGA Community News - September '23

Page 12, PGA C.A.N.! September 2023 September 2023
Inflexible Children Feeding Wildlife Is Against

Struggle Florida State Law

By Jim Forgan, Ph.D.,
School Psychologist And PGA POA Rules
“We don’t spring any
unexpected changes on him
or he has a huge meltdown,” The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ("FWC") has several rules that prohibit
explained one mom. Her feeding wildlife, including foxes, raccoons, pelicans, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, bears, coyote,
8-year-old son had daily alligators, and other wildlife. The FWC has modified the penalty system and in 2015 the Legislature
tantrums when things did approved amendments to Section 379.412 Florida Statutes to create a tiered penalty structure for
not go his way. Mom was violations of all FWC's wildlife feeding rules, except Marine Fish.
concerned he might have The new penalty system progresses from a civil penalty to a criminal penalty as multiple offenses
ADHD so we evaluated him occur. It starts with a civil penalty of $100 and gradually increases in severity:
to determine the root cause of
his meltdowns. Our evaluation showed it was not ADHD but OFFENSE CRIMINAL FINES INCARCERATION APPLIES TO WHICH RULES
rather he had executive functioning difficulty with shifting PENALTY
attention and cognitive flexibility.
Perhaps you’ve heard the saying, “That person has a 1st None $100 None All except Marine Fish
one-track mind.” That saying captures what happens when
inflexible people get something stuck in their minds and they 2nd 2nd Degree Up to $500 Up to 60 Days All except Marine Fish
can’t get it out. They perseverate. Their brain is like a train Misdemeanor
riding down a track and it can’t make a shift to a new track 1st Degree
until it gets to a junction. Unfortunately for some people, 3rd Misdemeanor up to $1,000 Up to 1 Year Bear and Crocodilians
their brain goes on for “miles” before it reaches a junction.
As a parent you might think, “Just get over it and move on,” 4th 3rd Degree Felony up to $5,000 Up to 5 Years Bear and Crocodilians
but it is not that easy for your child.
Inflexible children often have difficulty making
transitions at home and at school. They often see things Coyotes were added in June 2015 by the FWC to the list of wildlife species in Florida Administrative Code (Rule
their way and have difficulty going with the flow. This 68A-4.0001) for which feeding is prohibited. Coyotes are attracted to human-provided foods. Adding coyotes to the list
contributes to their meltdowns and stubbornness. Inflexible of species will further efforts to keep coyotes from frequenting human communities and becoming a public nuisance.
children are not always pleasant to be around. They can
be bossy when playing and want to do things their way. IT IS ALSO ILLEGAL TO FEED SANDHILL CRANES PER SECTION 68A-4.001 (5) OF THE FLORIDA
This inflexibility can create friendship issues with same ADMINISTRATIVE CODE. Sandhill Cranes are protected from harm by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Florida Statute
age peers and inflexible children might prefer to play with 372.0725, and Florida Administrative Codes 68A-27.003 and 68A-16.0001 and violations of these laws can result in
younger children whom they can boss around. jail time and/or extensive fines.
The term executive functioning describes our brain’s
management system. Kids with executive functioning VIOLATIONS CAN BE REPORTED TO THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
difficulty need to learn skill rather than take pills to help COMMISSION AT (888) 404-3922
them. Mom was happy medication was not the answer for
her child. My Day is Ruined!: A Story Teaching Flexible PGA POA RULES & REGULATIONS PROHIBIT FEEDING ANY WILDLIFE, INCLUDING
Thinking by Bryan Smith is a book you can read with your BIRDS OF ANY TYPE. YOUR COOPERATION AND COMPLIANCE IS APPRECIATED.
child to teach skills.

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