Abuse of Seclusion and Restraint

Personal story about the misuse of restraint and seclusion on my child with a disability

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• seclusion
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• autism
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[jmb171]

So, with all that said, my colleagues and I do not take this subject lightly. This is why I am so passionate in response.  If this method is not being used as a last resort, by certified individuals..then YES. It's wrong.

I've worked with 100 families over the years. Best advice? Know state regulations. Know your rights. Be present and visible! Watch the staff and the other children. Use your parental instincts. Hands on methods? They need consent.

Check your DOE website

[ahemmer01]

Until a few weeks ago, Missouri had no regulations and we were blown off by our DOE. MO now has regs (after a lot of advocating), but they aren't great and give the districts (the ones abusing this already) the power to monitor themselves. There is no accountability. FYI: In my son's case, it came down to him being perceived as a behavior child, not a child with a disability, and he was treated like he should know better, rather than being taught how and given support on how to get there.

[jmb171]

Ahemmer, I want you to know I have been on the other side of the IEP table. My niece was diagnosed last year, and my sister needed help understanding her rights as a parent.

I assure you, there are many of us who love these kids and are 100% accountable for their safety. We are specially trained to perform any hands on procedure. Body checks are done 2X a day by an RN to ensure there is no injury to the child.

If my niece was a danger to herself I'd feel confident in our methods

[ahemmer01]

I don't think special education is the enemy, though I have not had the best of luck with administrators. I know my rights, have my binders of research, my binders of documentation, etc. but all it came down to was did I want to take it to due process. We decided it wasn't worth the expense and stress on our family and now homeschool both boys. We worked with the system, fought against the system, etc. and none of it worked.

[ahemmer01]

I'm not saying there aren't great schools and great teachers, because I know there are. My son had a lot of people who were well meaning and/or wonderful teachers, but their hands were tied as well. Nurses are not involved in the seclusion room process at this school (at least not when we were there). Paraprofessionals with a 1/2 day of CPI training (focus on restraint) are allowed to do this in our district. Read more at: nomoseclusion[dot]blogspot[dot­]com/2009/01/zachs-story.[dot]­html

[jmb171]

Hmmm. I find it fascinating that I, a special education teacher with a master's degree and over 10+ years in the field, as well as a second masters degree in behavioral cognitive therapy for children with autism, asked you VERY specific and well informed questions... Yet, it appears as though my post was deleted. If I am wrong, I apologize. However, I suspect I am right, and you have a specific agenda, and do not want anyone with actual knowledge of the system to comment or educate posters..

[ahemmer01]

I did not delete anything, and my agenda is clear. This procedure and these rooms are being misused in many cases...it is not being used as a last resort and it is not being used for for serious safety issues. And for something like this that can be easily abused and endanger children and staff, the procedures that can cause death and significant injury should be banned and the rest should be regulated, monitored, and abusers held accountable. My chidren are no longer in public school.

[multisnootylives1]

The teachers should have been more rough on this little retard!

[xmom1011x]

I thank God that I decided to homeschool my children!  No kid should ever have to go through that!

[northernlightning]

I also thank God my son made it. He was brutalized in a NYS facility. After two months of brutality I find out that one of the so called experts is an unlicensed doctor and I'm still trying to make sense out of it. It's an outrage that this goes on.

[KTM0011]

this "therapy" is cruel and unusual punishment so sue the school districts ass and see what gets done when the money gets involved

[Napalmxxx2]

yet again the system fails, you know their going to continue to get away with this until someone goes by and guns the school in question up utterly destroying the room or files the biggest lawsuit in the history of the world.

[Kelseysmyangel]

So horrible, Instead of dealing with your son they take what they tink is the easy way out and just put him in a room...I would have been so outraged. And Im sure u were as well!

[jmb171]

You can tell I am getting angry by my typos and mispellings... Sorry for all my responses, just wanted to better understand the situation, and to educate others that this method is necessary for some and is highly regulated by MOST professionals.

[jmb171]

The fact that the room was used once more after it was removed from his plan, shows that his "teachers" weren't even bothering to read his plan or stay informed.

Finally, it is my goal and that of my colleagues, to make sure that NO PARENT ever feel overwhelmed, confused, trapped, or desperate.

Any chance you will move to MA? ;-)

[jmb171]

I'm on your site. In order to use a method, such as a seclusion room or restraint hold, there should be an "over abunfance" of data. The fact that they didn't even take ABC data is disgusting.

He was in there 18 min one time, 50 min another... no criteria was set for "readiness" to return to class.

Time out procedures are NEVER to be used as punnishment, only a means for his protection.

It sounds as if they weren't trained, and didn't know what to do when a behavior occurred. Inexcusable.

[jmb171]

Most states, by law, provide home behavioral therapy services. Even if he is home schooled, he would be eligible.

I know you had a horrible experience and may not be interested, however when I was in college, I was a home therapist. With the right person, it's extremely beneficial.

These programs are run in the home, and family members are present. You will know what is being done.

I am still close to those families. Having dinner with one tomorrow! Also helpful for siblings...