The Use of Restraints

[Guest guest]

Let's remember that we are talking about using restraints only if the child is in danger of hurting others and/or himself rather than using it as a consequence for inappropriate behaviors. Obviously, restraints must be used to help protect the individual as well as others. Unfortunately, there is a serious issue in terms of appropriately trained staff and a suitable environments. Throwing a mat on a floor and wrestling the child to the ground is not correct procedure. We need to look at this situation and recognize that there are dangerous flaws. The fact is that our school system is not presently equipped to deal with aggressive and self-injurious individuals. This is an example of how institutions like the school system like to sweep problems under the rug and then, when they can no longer avoid the problem, try to apply a band-aid to a gaping wound. It's no different in terms of how the country is dealing with the issues of the adult individuals with special needs.

There are solutions here. Rather than make this a black or white issue, we need to look at several factors: When to use restraints, training staff to recognize when to use them and how to use them appropriately, constructing suitable rooms for the restraints to be implemented, utilizing professionals to help devise better behavioral interventions for behaviors that do not merit restraints, and as unpopular as this may sound, where to educate children with aggressive and self-injurious behaviors. I plan to try to be involved in the solution to this problem.

I am the mother of an adult son who is still in the school system. He is aggressive and self-injurious at times and has needed restraint to protect him and others. I spent hours going over procedures with the school. I was told the staff members were trained. However, when the first incident came up at the school, the protocol was not followed. It leads me to believe that the training that the school system is saying that they are implementing is not enough. I feel that my son's teacher and her staff are caring and well-meaning individuals-this is not the problem. The issue is in the training and the environment.

We all need to focus on the solution to the problems rather than pick sides. We can't be for or against restraints. We need to recognize that restraints are necessary in certain situations. We need to understand that they are often being used inappropriately. We should try to advocate for the schools to spend the money to properly train (and re-train) all staff members who are in the classroom as well as implement other behavioral interventions when appropriate. And we need to look at the environments in which aggressive and self-injurious children are being educated.

Herskowitz

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[Guest guest]

As much as I value your opinion and that of all, I would ask for some mutual respect on that. We all know that in some cases, generally cases seen only in institutions.. restraints have been used. As I've stated a few times already in this loop, those who do restrain should know what they're doing and where. Those that fight restraint.. have a reason for it. For me, it's a very personal reason that has now led to a widespread epidemic of non trained or inadequately trained indivudals doing some pretty stupid things. And please remember.. prone restraint done right is one thing - the way it's done as a 'status quo' across the country is quite different. Then we have the stun gun thing.. which isn't quite as shocking as the 'shock back packs' that we recently discovered once again... this time in Trenton, NJ. . It seems with this type

of stupidity it would be easy to get that 'restraint' stopped.. not so easy. Bring in media..get rid of them..and back they are - somewhat like time out cells. I do agree.. there are adequate and proper ways to carry out only necessary restraint to stop the 'immenent' harm of others.. that doesn't mean 'maybe' it means 'it will happen'. These simple things are what leads many to saying no. Arresting my son a year ago.. restraining him with no BIP ??? That doesn't fly and never will, I could care less what the school 'reports'. I read alot of 'reports' they are not 'truths' .. they are generally coverups. So, as I do respect the rights of all and do know that in extreme cases some type of least restrictive restraint must be used, I don't feel there needs to be a room build for anything other then to have sensory stimuli within it and give a child a

chance to calm. None of us our incapable of seeing anticedents that cause behaviors to escalate..and we all know they escalate many times with the improper use of restraint. Both sides and the ones sitting on the fence on this issue must remember.. children have died. Those against have a reason.. those for have a reason. Playing referee in this fight to ban the use of 'illegal' restraints should be looked at it purely at face value. ILLEGAL, it's not on a BIP and not agreed to - not legal. Done wrong and/or with intent to injure = not legal . Done against state or local statute or law - not legal. Done by those without adequate training AND certification - not legal. Restraining instead of usign a behaviorist and attempting to Educate vs. Restraint... only makes sense. Now... why can't this be done ?

E. , Sr.

E. , Sr. Co-Founder/Director "Get a F.A.P.E., Inc.

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To: sList Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 3:39:39 AMSubject: The Use of Restraints

Let's remember that we are talking about using restraints only if the child is in danger of hurting others and/or himself rather than using it as a consequence for inappropriate behaviors. Obviously, restraints must be used to help protect the individual as well as others. Unfortunately, there is a serious issue in terms of appropriately trained staff and a suitable environments. Throwing a mat on a floor and wrestling the child to the ground is not correct procedure. We need to look at this situation and recognize that there are dangerous flaws. The fact is that our school system is not presently equipped to deal with aggressive and self-injurious individuals. This is an example of how institutions like the school system like to sweep problems under the rug and then, when they can no longer avoid the problem, try to apply a band-aid to a gaping wound. It's no different in terms of how the country

is dealing with the issues of the adult individuals with special needs. There are solutions here. Rather than make this a black or white issue, we need to look at several factors: When to use restraints, training staff to recognize when to use them and how to use them appropriately, constructing suitable rooms for the restraints to be implemented, utilizing professionals to help devise better behavioral interventions for behaviors that do not merit restraints, and as unpopular as this may sound, where to educate children with aggressive and self-injurious behaviors. I plan to try to be involved in the solution to this problem. I am the mother of an adult son who is still in the school system. He is aggressive and self-injurious at times and has needed restraint to protect him and others. I spent hours going over procedures with the school. I was told the staff members were trained. However, when the first incident came up at the school,

the protocol was not followed. It leads me to believe that the training that the school system is saying that they are implementing is not enough. I feel that my son's teacher and her staff are caring and well-meaning individuals- this is not the problem. The issue is in the training and the environment. We all need to focus on the solution to the problems rather than pick sides. We can't be for or against restraints. We need to recognize that restraints are necessary in certain situations. We need to understand that they are often being used inappropriately. We should try to advocate for the schools to spend the money to properly train (and re-train) all staff members who are in the classroom as well as implement other behavioral interventions when appropriate. And we need to look at the environments in which aggressive and self-injurious children are being educated. Herskowitz

Get ready to win! You could score awesome prizes all summer long on AOL.