While they can be difficult to share, our stories are critical for influencing change. Our stories help others to realize that they are not alone and that they too can influence change. Our stories can influence members of the media to investigate and write articles that can inspire change. Our stories can connect with lawmakers who can change the law to protect our children and our loved ones. Please share your story and let us know how we can use it to influence change.
Read stories from others
Here are stories from parents, advocates, educators and others related to the use of restraint and seclusion.
My Time in a “School” for “Troubled Kids”
am an autistic adult. Around 2002, I was sent to a charter “school” in San Diego, California. This “school” was a place for so-called “troubled” kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At the facility, restraint, and seclusion were regularly practiced on kids who were having meltdowns or other compromising moments triggered by various things, be it schoolwork, activities,…
Meet Disability Advocate and AASR Volunteer Christopher Ripke
Christopher Ripke is an advocate for people with Developmental Disabilities in Nevada. Christopher is also against the use of restraints and seclusion. Christopher is a survivor of restraints and seclusion. As a person with a disability and an advocate, Christopher for the “Keeping All Students Safe Act.” Currently, Christopher works with a non-profit “People first…
My AASR Story: Jennifer Abbanat
As many know, I got involved with The Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint 4 1/2 years ago, about seven months after Max Benson was killed by restraint while at school. I couldn’t just let his death sit with zero action to ensure this never happens again. Unfortunately, it has continued to happen many more times since he…
My AASR Story: Chantelle Hyde
When I think back to about five years ago now, around the time that I first learned of my daughter’s traumatic seclusion incident at school from another parent, I was in a state of shock. After running into one frustrating and upsetting experience after another with the school and district, and even in reviewing provincial education policies,…
My AASR Story: Trisha Thompson
As a teacher and a parent, I have witnessed firsthand the need for change in our schools. The things I have seen in my workplaces and in schools my child has attended have really strengthened my drive to decolonize. Decolonization requires a commitment to creation just as much as a commitment to resistance and dismantling.
My AASR Story: Dr. Arielle Silverman
I have been blind since birth and have been involved with blindness advocacy for the past 20 years. In 2014, I obtained my Ph.D. in social psychology because I wanted to use social science research to make life better for blind people. Eventually, though, I realized that people with all types of disabilities have common…
My AASR Story: Sarah Johnston-Waugh
I became involved with AASR in 2023 after my son, who was eight at the time, had been subjected to numerous restraints in his special education class. Someone had mentioned the Alliance to me in a comment on a Facebook post, and I sent a message to Guy Stephens. Within a couple of hours, he…
My AASR Story: Karen Bures
Meeting Guy Stephens, the founder and Executive Director of Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (AASR), provided a lifeline during an incredibly challenging phase in my career. Despite successfully eliminating the use of restraint and seclusion in the behavior program I was teaching, I encountered significant resistance to a systemic shift and faced intense targeted retaliation…
My AASR Story: Val Luther
I first came across the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint through a post shared by Dr. Mona Delahooke online. I had just devoured her book Beyond Behaviors and was eager to continue learning from her on social media. I purchased the book in hopes of finding new ways to support and advocate for my neurodivergent…
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