Category: School
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Restraint, Seclusion, and Corporal Punishment: A No Consent Letter
The use of restraint, seclusion, and corporal punishment has become more common practices when responding to disability-related behaviors within school settings. A “No Consent” letter is a written document that states you, as a parent or guardian, do not consent to the school’s use of restraint, seclusion, and corporal punishment in response to your child’s…
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Behaviors Charts: Helpful Strategy or Harmful Practice?
We have many thoughts and ideas about behavior charts, most of which would not surprise our long-time readers. While perhaps well-intentioned, behavior charts can cause anxiety, shame, a loss of intrinsic motivation and can increase stress behaviors. I remember the frustration behavior charts caused my son and our family. He would come home from school…
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A Letter to the Burlington School District Board
My name is Brian Dalla Mura, and I am writing to express my deep concern and strong desire for the Burlington School District Board to establish a subcommittee dedicated to reviewing and revising its discipline and restraint and seclusion policies.
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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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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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The Dark Side of Rewards, Part 2: Why Incentives Do More Harm Than Good in the Classroom
In far too many schools today, the use of incentive programs to motivate students has become common practice. However, many research studies have shed light on the potential negative consequences of such programs, raising concerns about their impact on students’ long-term success. By examining the overlap between physical and social pain as well as the…
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National Education Association remains neutral on the Keeping All Students Safe Act
The National Education Association (NEA) has said they remain neutral on the Keeping All Students Safe Act. It is disappointing to see an organization whose vision is a great public school for every student standing on the sidelines while children suffer. Sadly today, there are many students who are not experiencing a great public school…