Category: Restraint
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An unsafe place for Jane
Growing up, I lived in a very unstable, violent home. I spent too many nights hiding in my bedroom as I listened to fighting in the other room. I know domestic violence and abuse. I know what it is like to have the police in my living room in the middle of the night to…
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If not seclusion and restraint then what do we do?
To begin, we don’t believe that seclusion is ever an appropriate response. To be clear, we define seclusion as a situation where a child is forced into a room or area, alone, against their will, and prohibited from leaving. We are not referring to a self-directed break to a quiet space or even a sensory room. There…
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The memories will haunt me
I have been on multiple adolescent inpatient psychiatric units and, as a result, have seen the use of seclusion and restraint. I will forever live with the memories of seeing people restrained on the restraint bed and in the seclusion room. Those memories will continue to haunt me for the rest of my life. While…
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Virtual Training Event: Restraint and Seclusion – Why now is the time to do something different
Is your facility still using restraint and seclusion? In this virtual full-day event, learn why now is the time to do something different. About this event Thank you for your interest in this event. Below you will find information about the event, and you are always welcome to reach out with any questions. Background Restraint is…
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An Avoidable Crisis: The Keeping All Students Safe Act (Part 3)
One shift in our mindset can mean the difference in appropriately meeting a child’s needs or potential harm to a child if we ask the question “why” and “why now” (Dr. Stuart Shanker). This curiosity means the difference between a child receiving empathy and support versus punishment and consequences. Again are these lucky or unlucky…
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An Avoidable Crisis: The Unlucky Ones (Part 2)
Dr. Ross Greene refers to kids with “lucky behaviors” and those with” unlucky behaviors.” Kids with lucky behaviors are often more capable of “using words” to describe their feelings. These kids often pout, cry, whine, withdraw, and these lucky behaviors usually get them empathy from the caregiver. This is why they are thought of as…
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An Avoidable Crisis: The Focus on Compliance (Part 1)
We hear from so many parents, caregivers, and teachers how “out of control” so many kids they work with are. They describe them as rude, disrespectful, disruptive, always touching things, and one of my favorites, can’t sit still. But what makes “these kids” so terrible?
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Don’t punish us for being autistic
Schools punishing students with autism for running (elopement) is sad. I was a runner when young. Please know that it is not to misbehave, but rather to escape the experience of autism’s confusing world. Your world is bearable, but ours is often jumpy or noisy or spinning. Running and feeling air swirling about can help…
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“There is no place in Maryland’s schools for the use of seclusion”
On Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 there was a hearing in the Maryland Senate for SB 705, which would prohibit seclusion in all public schools in Maryland and significantly reduce the use of seclusion in nonpublic schools. I attended and provided testimony in support of the bill and was joined by several others including our State Superintendent Mohammad Choudhary.
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Action Alert: Tell the Maryland Senate to ban seclusion in all public schools
Great news – we have proposed legislation in the Maryland Senate that would ban seclusion in all public schools across the state and limit the use of seclusion in nonpublic schools (SB 0705). The legislation would also expand reporting requirements and require the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to develop an accountability system. This…