Category: Education
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First, do no harm: “Unschooling” a Neurodivergent Child (Part 1)
A Breach of Trust Today’s guest author is Ann Gaydos. Ann worked in the software industry in a former life, but she decided to homeschool her four children after her daughter Paige was abused by a teacher within the Cupertino Union School District in California, and she could get no help from the administration or…
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Time to End Seclusion in Connecticut Schools
Hearst Media has recently covered the issue of restraint and seclusion in Connecticut schools. Now legislation is being introduced in Connecticut that would prohibit the of seclusion of special education students and would update the rules around the use of restraint. Representative Theresa Wood and Representative Tiffany Bluemle introduced Bill 1200. The bill is set to have a…
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“People in the Physical Sense”: Historical Perspectives on the Restraint of Autistic Children in Public Schools
Ensuring safety in our schools has become a focus over the past few years, typically discussed in terms of external threats such as gun violence. However, for many special education students, it’s not active shooters or bomb threats they need to concern themselves with- it’s their teachers and therapists. In 2009, the congressional watchdog agency Government…
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Support for House Bill 1479 in Washington State
Over the last several months, I have worked with many parents, educators, and advocates across Washington State who have committed to reducing and eliminating restraint and isolation. The bill before you is a strong piece of legislation that resulted from the collaboration of a diverse group of stakeholders. This bill is a step forward to…
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Once upon a time, a tale of seclusion and restraint
School is an overwhelming place when you have sensory needs. You see, all day this little girl had to self regulate as she would easily become overstimulated. Loud sounds, bustling children, echoey gyms. Every day she tried to understand rules and assignments. Doing her best so that she would be considered a good little girl.
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The Reality of Isolation Rooms in New Jersey’s Public Schools, and Efforts to Ban the Practice
In the state of New Jersey, the issue of seclusion and restraint, specifically the topic of quiet rooms, are the subject of recent media attention. Isolation rooms, otherwise known as quiet rooms, are padded rooms where children are placed for disruptive behavior. Isolation rooms are known to have traumatic effects on students, and they are…
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I wish I had known then what I know now
Around 2011, I was hired to be a para at a school in Utah for disabled children with what the district termed “severe behaviors.” These were the kids, teens, and adults that special education teachers in typical schools refused to work with; many of the students were dumped at this school and effectively abandoned by…
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Idahoans for Safe Schools urges the State Board of Education to ban the use of seclusion, and corporal punishment
Charmaine Thaner is a special education advocate, an experienced public speaker, a parent, and a changemaker in Idaho. On December 21st, Charmaine attended an Idaho State Board of Education meeting in Boise, Idaho, to share her story and encourage the members of the Board of Education to end the use of seclusion and corporal punishment in Idaho…
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Mini-Review of Intentional Neuroplasticity, Moving our Nervous Systems and Educational System toward Post-Traumatic Growth
Dr. Lori Desautels’ previous book, Connections Over Compliance, is one of my favorites. The book addresses the roles of connection and neuroscience in the classroom. Recently, I had the opportunity to read her new and soon to be released book Intentional Neuroplasticity. This book is so much of what is needed in this moment in…
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It’s time to ban seclusion in New Jersey schools
Seclusion is the involuntary confinement of a student alone in a room or area from which the student is physically prevented from leaving. In June, an investigation by the NJ Advance Media led to the publication of an article, “Inside the quiet rooms.” The article stated that at least 1,150 New Jersey students had been…