This blog entry is in response to NPR’s article “How Some Schools Restrain or Seclude Students: A Look at a Controversial Practice” (6/15/29)
When I first stumbled upon this article, which was sent to me by my husband, I was not sure what to expect, especially since laws in NJ have changed in the recent past about the use of restraints with children in special education. I do work in a school that uses therapeutic holds, but they are done infrequently, and I believe that this year, only two have been done in my classroom.
According to the article, since policies surrounding the restraining or secluding of students differ from district to district it makes it difficult to understand how often and why this happens. According to the article, laws in different states vary greatly, and that there is no continuity between states. I was very surprised to find that laws differ so greatly between states, but after some research, I discovered that laws differ even between some counties in New Jersey.
According to one parent in the article, her son was restrained or secluded more than 400 times in a two year period. I am convinced that this should not have happened, and that perhaps better policies should be put in place. Are restraints sometimes necessary? Absolutely, but I can not see the use of this practice over 400 times with one student.
I believe that state and federal governments needs to come together to develop better laws , concerning the use of physical restraints and also the ways that they are used. I also believe that the use of seclusion needs to be looked at, as well as the areas that are used. I know that I would not want this type of treatment for my own children or my students, and I believe that these policies need to be changed.
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