Category: Restraint
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Keeping All Students Safe Act Reintroduced: It’s Time to End the Use of Seclusion in Schools
The Keeping All Students Safe Act (KASSA) has been reintroduced in the 119th Congress by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Representative Don Beyer (D-VA), Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA), and Representative Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ). This bill aims to prohibit seclusion, mechanical…
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A Call to Colorado Lawmakers: It’s Time to End the Reliance on Seclusion and Restraint in Our Schools
As an occupational therapist, I, Julianne Kamp, am committed to supporting equitable and developmentally appropriate school environments, and I am deeply concerned about the continued reliance on seclusion and restraint as behavioral interventions in Colorado schools. Research and clinical experience demonstrate that these practices carry significant physical and psychological risks, yet policies governing their use remain…
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As a Former School-Based SLP, I Knew About the Harm Caused by Seclusion and Restraint, Then It Happened to My Son
I worked as a school-based SLP for seven years in Washington state. My population consisted of elementary and middle-school-aged children, and I purposefully volunteered to work with special population students, including autistic children. The caseload was enormous, and it was an eye-opening experience into the disparities in teaching and support for the population of students…
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Punitive School Discipline and Its Public Health Implications: A Literature Review
Childhood is the developmental stage during which the foundation for an individual’s identity, personality, and self-regulation skills is established (Montroy et al., 2016). Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that can profoundly shape development, both physiologically and psychologically (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024). The majority of the existing literature surrounding childhood…
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A Call for Action: Pennsylvania Schools Need to Do More to Reduce the Use of Physical Restraint
Since 2020, Pennsylvania schools have seen a concerning increase in the use of physical restraints on students, particularly those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). This trend raises significant safety concerns and highlights the urgent need to review and improve the current practices governing the use of restraints in educational settings.
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When Advocacy Creates Ripples, it Becomes Waves – Let Your Voice Be One of Those Ripples!
When I first met Guy Stephens of the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint in the fall of 2019, I was a completely panicked mom, worried beyond belief for the safety of her child in the New Brunswick, Canada, school system after dealing with seclusion room incidents. I felt like I couldn’t trust anyone with my…
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A Letter to Beaverton School District Regarding the Use of Seclusion
We are reaching out after being contacted by a member of your school community who expressed serious concerns about the use of restraint and seclusion within the Beaverton School District, specifically at Hiteon Elementary School. The concerns brought to our attention center around the use of seclusion. Under Oregon law, seclusion is defined as the…
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Laramie County School District is Seeking Public Comment on Seclusion and Restraint Policy
The Laramie County School District in Wyoming recently voted to put an amended “Seclusion, Restraint, Forcible Physical Contact and Corporal Punishment” policy out for a 45-day review. Potential changes to policy can be reviewed on the Board’s webpage. Public comments will be accepted until September 19, 2025, at 4 p.m. online or via email. We…
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It’s All Just Part of the Routine: How Touch Becomes Restraint in Early Childhood Education
Every child deserves to feel safe in their body. Every early educator wants to be someone a child can trust. If we truly want to build environments rooted in care, we have to be willing to pause, reflect, and make changes. There are amazing, wonderful things happening in early childhood education settings every day. I…
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When a Field Trip Ends in Prone Restraint
The most recent restraint occurred while on a field trip. My son was having an anxiety attack related to his aide leaving and his crush telling him that she did not want to be his friend that day. Restraints were placed on him, and his safe people were not around. Instead of the special education…