Are you the parent of a child with autism or another disability that has behavioral issues, especially at school? Are you concerned about what how special education personnel are handling the behavioral issues? Has your child told you that “so and so hurt me today?” This article will be discussing 9 things that every parent must know about the use of restraint and seclusion in school settings.

Here are 9 things that you need to know about the use of restraint and seclusion in school districts:

1. Definition of A restraint is–Any manual method, physical or mechanical device, material, or equipment that immobilizes or reduces the ability of an individual.

2. Definition of Seclusion is–The involuntary confinement of an individual alone in a room or area from which the individual is physically prevented from leaving.The involuntary confinement of an individual alone in a room or area, from which the individual is physically prevented from leaving. Seclusion should only be used for the management of violent or self-destructive behavior.

3. The Alliance to Prevent Restraint, Aversive Interventions and Seclusion (APRAIS) has stated that: Aversives, restraints, and seclusion can cause emotional, psychological, and/or physical damage as well as death.” The most dangerous practice which causes the most injury and death; is of prone restraints which has the child face down! They cannot breath, and some children have died as a result of this barbaric method!

4. The National Education Association has issued guidelines that discuss restraint or seclusion of violent students, stating that physical restraint should be used with a student only when there is an imminent risk either of harm to a person or property damage.

5. Parents, community members, and professionals have had concerns about the length of time, that students are in time-out, as well as the supervision and safety of students in seclusionary time-out settings.

6. National Disability Rights Network examined all state laws, policies and guidelines. Including the District of Columbia shows that, of the 56 states and territories in the United States:

Forty-one percent (41%) have no laws, policies or guidelines concerning restraint or seclusion use in

schools;

Almost ninety percent (90%) still allow prone restraints;

Only forty-five percent (45%) require or recommend that schools

Automatically notify parents or guardians of restraint/seclusion use.

7. The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in the United States Department of Education oversees the enforcement of IDEA. OSEP has funded a technical assistance project – one focused specifically on positive behavioral interventions and supports and of best practices, including behavioral supports. Because of its emphasis on positive behavioral intervention and supports, you would expect OSEP to be supportive of alternatives and against the violent and abusive practice of restraint or seclusion, but they are not!

8. OSEP has done little, if anything, over the past 33 years to protect children with disabilities, from the use of restraint or seclusion. The most unfortunate outcome of OSEP’s lack of back bone is that these procedures continue to be used causing injury, emotional difficulty, and death!

9. Best Practices: IDEA recommends that students with behavioral challenges receive a system of positive behavioral interventions and supports. Positive behavioral interventions and supports is a research-based method for improving student behavior and creating a safe and productive school climate. The practice of positive behavioral interventions and supports is: proactive, comprehensive and data driven. It should be noted that this approach has been shown to significantly reduce problem behaviors, disciplinary referrals, and suspensions.

By having this information you will be able to fight for your child, so that they are not injured or killed, by the dangerous practices of restraint and seclusion. Also by knowing what best practices are, you may be able to advocate that these are carried out for your child. This will help your child be safe and also be in an environment where they can learn!

By: JoAnn Collins