Tag: Seclusion
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The Low Arousal Approach to reducing restraint and seclusion
I came across the Low Arousal Approach and Professor Andrew McDonnell’s work three years after our son had been repeatedly restrained and secluded in his Central Massachusetts Elementary School. Ten years old at the time, we quickly saw the signs of trauma take hold. Four years later our son has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress…
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Elimination of restraint and seclusion in schools is not only possible, but it is also morally and ethically imperative
The use of restraint and seclusion in our nation’s schools has been debated for decades; these procedures continue to be used today despite reports of psychological and physical harm, including the deaths of students; and they are disproportionately used with disabled children and Black, brown, and indigenous children. Use of these procedures causes psychological harm…
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Is Your Child “Violent?” Why the answer to this question may save your child’s life.
Schools are telling us year after year that children are becoming increasingly more violent. In fact, they use this to justify restraint, seclusion, mass suspensions, expulsions, and zero tolerance policies. Many children have the word ascribed to them in their IEP documents as early as Kindergarten. Yes, we are expected to believe armies of violent…
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Reflections on my childhood: Locked in the principal’s office
Today’s guest author is Jennifer Abbanat. Jennifer is a wife and mom to 3 kids ages 18, 16, and 13. Jennifer is an advocate and voice for her neurodiverse children. She and her family live in Northern California.
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An open letter to Senator Amy Sinclair
What follows is an open letter we sent to Iowa State Senator Amy Sinclair regarding her proposed legislation Senate Study Bill 3080. The bill encourages the segregation of behaviorally challenging children with special needs. The bill would make it easier for teachers to use restraint and seclusion and grants immunity to school staff that injure…
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Children with challenging behaviors need compassion and calming, not restraint or seclusion
Max Benson was only 13 when he died in a Sacramento, California hospital in November of 2018. A day earlier, after school employees allege that he spit on a classmate, school staffers had responded by holding him in a face-down restraint for an hour and 45 minutes, according to court records. He never recovered.
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What can I do? If my child is being restrained and/or secluded?
One question we commonly get at the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint is what can I do if my child is being restrained an or secluded at school? First know that you are not alone, other parents are going through this as well, and we have a community that can help. Next it is important…
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An open letter to Maryland State Education Association President Cheryl Bost
Ms. Bost, Ms. Ostenso, and Ms. Tayman I had the opportunity to view the public comment that you provided to the Calvert County Board of Education on Thursday, October 10th and wanted to reach out to you. Like you, I believe it is important that our schools are safe for students, teachers, and staff. Like…
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My Journey to Plan B
Today’s guest author is Jo-Anne Granstrom. Jo-Anne is a mother from Edmonton Canada and a strong supporter of the Collaborative Proactive Solutions model for behaviorally challenging children. I’m thankful for fabulous articles, like this one, that lets people know about Dr. Ross Greene. I’ll start with the following quote that hit home to me: “Just…
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The many names used for seclusion cells at schools
Rooms Don’t Calm Kids With Challenging Behaviors; Accommodations do. At one of my son’s schools, they called it the “calming room.” The thing is, walls don’t calm people. Many neuro-divergent children like my son need to be taught how to self-calm. Or better yet, avoid the crisis altogether with appropriate accommodations. At another of his…