http://www.ndrn.org/images/Documents/Resources/Publications/Reports/School_is_Not_Supposed_to_Hurt_3_v7.pdf
This report by the National Disability Rights Network addresses the harmful use of restraint and seclusion in both public and private school settings. These interventions are often used disproportionately on children with disabilities and commonly lead to injury, trauma, and in extreme circumstances, even death. According to the National Disability Rights Network, over two-thirds of states have used restraint and seclusion with children as young as three years old in both public and private school settings. What I find to be interesting about this is that, according to www.thearc.org, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducted an investigation after this report was published and found that no federal laws restricting the use of restraint and seclusion in schools even exist. Any state laws that exist vary widely, and in many states they don't exist at all.
It's important to note that the high use of restraint and seclusion are often implemented by untrained school personnel. Additionally, The Arc reports that they're often used for behaviors that do not even pose any danger or threat of harm in the first place. They also do not offer any therapeutic or educational value, and as mentioned previously, have been shown to produce the opposite effect (emotional trauma, physical harm, and death). Oftentimes, the intervention itself is more dangerous than the child's behavior. It's extremely unfortunate that these interventions are utilized so often, because there are several alternatives to restraint and seclusion. Schools need provide trainings and prioritize positive behavioral interventions and supports as well as techniques for preventing and stopping problem behaviors to avoid traumatizing vulnerable children.
"Stop Hurting Kids" is a campaign to end restraint and seclusion abuse in schools. There's a lot of good resources on their website, including a film that includes 4 individual's and their stories about the restraint and seclusion they experienced in school, as well as the physical and emotional injuries they suffered as a result of the interventions. The campaigns website is www.stophurtingkids.com.
Emma,
ReplyDeleteI was not aware that there are very limited to no laws in many states restricting the use of restraints in schools. Some students with disabilities can have behaviors that put themselves or the students around them at risk for safety, so I believe there needs to be a plan in place for when this happens. However, a restraint should not be used, especially a restraint that could potentially harm the child at any point. Also, I completely agree with you that there needs to be appropriate training for school staff. I'm familiar with the stories of children being severely harmed and even dying from adults using restraints and these stories infuriate me. While there needs to be a plan for safety in the case of extreme behaviors, there should never be restraints used that could potentially harm a child, and I believe that states need to have laws placing restrictions on these restraints.
Emma, I am shocked that there are not specific and very clear laws on restricting the use of restraints in schools. I am interning at school district currently and have never heard of the restraint policy, etc. I do know that in any crisis situation deescalation is the number one response so I hope that other school, public and private, are taking that same response.
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