Is the use of Seclusion rooms and restraint appropriate for children on IEP’s in public education schools when used appropriately and within the laws set forth to govern them?
Is the use of Seclusion rooms and restraint appropriate for children on IEP’s in public education schools when used appropriately and within the laws set forth to govern them?
Seclusion and restraint has been a controversial topic in special education for a long time. Recently there has been more talk over the use of seclusion rooms and restraint on violent children in the public education setting. Many advocates feel that the use of such practices is unjust and unethical, that it violates the fourteenth amendment, and that it puts students at risk for injury or harm. Others however feel that such practices are necessary in certain circumstances. That when a child is causing harm to themselves or others, the use of a seclusion room can benefit the situation to ensure safety of all parties involved. In some instances the use of reasonable seclusion and restraint, in these cases the subjectivity of this is reliant on the specifics of the case. Regardless of the best intentions and efforts of educators, sometimes dangerous situations do arise.
Some of the key terms and concepts associated with this issue are the safety of the students and staff involved, the rights of the students involved, the long term effects of the students involved, the training of the adults that are supervising or administering the restraint, and the precautions taken to avoid the use of seclusion and restraint unless it is the last option.
This issue is different from other ideas or traditional instructional approaches because it deals with the behavior of the students and not the academics of the students. Unfortunately students that have emotional and behavioral disorders often struggle with the behaviors that will impede learning themselves and impede the learning of others. These behaviors are often severe enough to be a danger to themselves or others. This is where the controversy of whether or not to use seclusion and restraint as an option for getting the student
Seclusion and restraint has been a controversial topic in special education for a long time. Recently there has been more talk over the use of seclusion rooms and restraint on violent children in the public education setting. Many advocates feel that the use of such practices is unjust and unethical, that it violates the fourteenth amendment, and that it puts students at risk for injury or harm. Others however feel that such practices are necessary in certain circumstances. That when a child is causing harm to themselves or others, the use of a seclusion room can benefit the situation to ensure safety of all parties involved. In some instances the use of reasonable seclusion and restraint, in these cases the subjectivity of this is reliant on the specifics of the case. Regardless of the best intentions and efforts of educators, sometimes dangerous situations do arise.
Some of the key terms and concepts associated with this issue are the safety of the students and staff involved, the rights of the students involved, the long term effects of the students involved, the training of the adults that are supervising or administering the restraint, and the precautions taken to avoid the use of seclusion and restraint unless it is the last option.
This issue is different from other ideas or traditional instructional approaches because it deals with the behavior of the students and not the academics of the students. Unfortunately students that have emotional and behavioral disorders often struggle with the behaviors that will impede learning themselves and impede the learning of others. These behaviors are often severe enough to be a danger to themselves or others. This is where the controversy of whether or not to use seclusion and restraint as an option for getting the student
References: (2010). Operation Uplink. Retrieved May Fantz, A. Children Forced into Cell-Like School Seclusion Rooms. (2008). http://articles.cnn.com Retrieved May 4, 2011, from http://articles.cnn.com/2008-12-17/us/seclusion.rooms_1_seclusion-autistic-children-special-education?_s=PM:US Doherty, S. Should Schools Use Seclusion Rooms, Restraints? (2010). http://host.madison.com. Retrieved March 1, 2011, from http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/education/local_schools/article_1b3c4886-2bc8-11df-bd32-001cc4c03286.html.eterans Jones, N.L. & Feder, J. The Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Public Schools: The Legal Issues. (2009). Spannj.org. Retrieved March 1, 2011, from www.spannj.org/information/CRS_Report_on_Legal_Issues_in_Seclusion_&_Restraints.pdf