Restraint and Seclusion in U.S. Schools

In the past I have brought things to your attention that I felt warrant discussion and consideration. I am not here to tell you what to think, rather, I want you to be aware of things happening in our society. Being well informed leads to a good open discussion on things that can be important to people in our communities. Today something caught my eye that I think warrants discussions. The topic to think about, research and come to your own conclusion is the issue of restraining children with special needs in our schools.

Today the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor is meeting to examine whether the seclusion and restraint of students with special needs should be banned by federal law. According to a report released by the Government Accountability Organization, the widespread use of the often violent and abusive techniques of restraining or secluding students with special needs has led to hundreds of fatalities and injuries of American school children in the past two decades.

Committee chairman Rep. George Miller described the report's findings as "alarming" and "eye opening." "Recent news reports document appalling stories of teachers tying children to chairs, taping their mouths shut, using handcuffs, denying them food, fracturing bones, locking them in small dark spaces, and sitting on them until they turn blue," Miller said. "One might start to wonder what could possible cause a teacher or classroom aide to abuse a child this way. Well, we know what these children did: They fidgeted in their chairs or they were unwilling to follow directions."

I understand that this is not happening with all students and all children with special needs. I also understand that there can be times when restraint is necessary for the protection of the student and other students around them. That said, with reports such as these it only makes sense to me to further investigate what is going on and try to help come up with the appropriate way to provide the training and resources necessary to create a positive learning environment and help these kids with special needs. I know that is what I would want for my child.

In any event the issue is being investigated at this time and I thought there may be some of you out there interested in this topic. If you are let your voice be heard. Call and talk to your representative. Research this further and stay informed. For more on this topic check out this article by ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/Story?id=7618327&page=1.

Art Kosieradzki