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A Last Resort?
Today, I want to share a more typical example of what we see leading to the use of restraint and seclusion – noncompliance. First, a trigger warning: what you are about to read will be difficult and upsetting. We will review an actual report, which we redacted to protect the victim’s identity. The report we…
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Why Restraint and Seclusion Should Be Federally Regulated
Federal data indicates in the United States, upwards of 100,000 students are restrained and secluded (R&S) every year in public schools. The purpose of R&S is to manage disruptive behavior and is intended to be used in situations that involve imminent danger of serious physical harm to the individual or others.
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I am a Disruptor
Some of you who have read my previous posts or listened to my live presentation may not be surprised, but I am no longer working in K12 education for the district in my county; this is not by choice. During my live event, Guy Stephens, founder, and director of Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint, referred…
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The Lifeline That is the Self-Reg Summer Symposium
In a world characterized by constant stimulation and stress, the importance of self-regulation has become increasingly apparent. Understanding the science behind self-regulation and its practical application is key to nurturing well-being and achieving optimal performance. More importantly, it is the key to nurturing our children.
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Finding Unicorns at the 2023 Self-Regulation Summer Symposium
A variety of sources define a unicorn as being highly desirable and difficult to find or obtain. Unicorns have tremendous value and are extraordinarily rare. The elusive and astounding concept defies our very senses. We create a story about a mythical creature because actual science is too good to be true. And yet, there exists…
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Myths Behind Restraint and Seclusion – A Literature Review
Federal data indicates that in the United States upwards of 100,000 students are restrained and secluded (R&S) every year in public schools (Kim, 2022). The OCR defines restraint as the act of, “restricting the student’s ability to move his or her torso, arms, legs or head freely” (Office of Civil Rights, 2016) which includes restriction…
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Amygdala Reset Station: Not Just for Kids
Several years before the world was shaken by COVID, I started to see a progressive increase in challenging behaviors in my second-grade classroom. I knew something had to change. I did a lot of reading, searching, and experimenting to find solutions before it got out of hand. I came across information and training in mindfulness.…
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Stranger Danger: Restrained at Daycare
Much of what I have learned about autism over the years has been to help my son feel more comfortable and successful in a world that can feel overwhelming to him. I’ve also learned that it’s important to share our story – it’s not always easy for me to put our experiences and feelings into…
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Look for the Good
As a Behavior Intervention Teacher in a large public school system, I collaborate with teachers and other instructional staff when they have students who are struggling behaviorally or socially. When I am called in, not only are the students in crisis, but the staff often are as well. It is often difficult at that time…
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Persistence in Advocacy: Shattering the Culture of Silence
From the moment I joined Brookside Primary School in the Harwood Unified Union School District (HUUSD), I was deeply troubled by the distressing daily ritual of restraining and forcibly dragging students to the seclusion room. As an educator, I found the courage to express my concerns to the administrators, hoping for a resolution. Regrettably, those…
