Surveillance Tape Footage Shows School Abuse

Friday, 14 Aug 2009 Peter Linton-Smith
LECANTO, FL - A grainy surveillance tape will likely become 'Exhibit A' in a forthcoming lawsuit against the Citrus County School District.
"I don't have the slightest doubt that it's child abuse," said Mark Kamleiter, an attorney representing a 14-year-old autistic boy seen in the video.
Kamleiter says the videotape shows a teacher at the Crest School in Lecanto and an aide abusing the child.

"They grab him by his arms and drag him on his knees out of the classroom, down the open school hallway and literally throw him into a dark room."

To read the complete article, click on the link below. http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/nature_coast/autism_abuse_lawsuit_081309

Chairman Miller on CNN discussing seclusion and restraint techniques

Florida Family Story
July 22, 2009

Chairman Miller on CNN discussing seclusion and restraint techniques
This behavior, in some instances, looks like torture. The current situation is unacceptable and cannot continue.”

Click on the link below to hear complete CNN interview and school video of restraint

http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/07/chairman-miller-on-cnn-discuss.shtml

Attention Advocates!!!

The House Committee on Education and Labor is collecting stories about restraint, seclusion, and other forms of abusive interventions in schools. Many of you submitted these stories to COPAA and we provided them to the Committee. The stories are very important because they show the extent of schoolhouse abuse in America and that this is a problem that affects us all....everywhere.

We encourage you to submit your stories to the House Committee on Education and Labor at seclusion-restraint-hearing@mail.house.gov . Please be sure to include your complete contact information, or at least your email address and city, state, and zip code. They will use them as they work in support of legislation to remedy the abuse of children in school. Every child’s dignity and human rights must be protected.

We would also ask that you forward a copy to us at COPAA or CC us, jessica@copaa.org COPAA continues to need your stories for our grassroots advocacy and advocacy in Congress, including in the Senate. Stories can have a huge impact in this way. Any bill must pass both House and Senate and we need to be able to share your stories in the Senate. (As always, COPAA will NOT share your personal identifying information, such as your name, email, address, etc. without your permission first.

You can see our report, http://www.copaa.org/news/unsafe.html to see the kinds of summaries we create) COPAA does have a separate reporting form that you can use,
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspxsm=kbizom_2bCU27wrYCCRv7R7w_3d_3d but its okay to just send a copy of the email that you send to the House Committee to jessica@copaa.org . If you already reported your story to COPAA or to the GAO, we ask you to also email the House Committee and thank them for their work and bringing attention to this important issue. You may wish to summarize your story again.

Please distribute this information broadly and share it with any lists, clients, colleagues, and anyone you wish.

Thank you very much,
Jessica Butler
Government Relations Co-Chair (for Congressional Affairs)
Council of Parent Attorneys & Advocates, Inc.
http://www.copaa.net/
a national voice for special education rights and advocacy
jessica@copaa.org

Autism Organizations Aim to End Restraint and Seclusion in Schools

June 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire

The National Autism Association (NAA) along with 12 other organizations launched a campaign this week to spur letter writing and raise awareness about dangerous restraint and seclusion practices in schools. The initiative comes on the heels of the May 19th GAO Report that revealed no federal laws regulating restraint and seclusion in schools, no laws in 19 states, and “widely divergent” laws in remaining states.

It also investigated cases where two children died from “mechanical compression to the chest” and being “smothered to death,” one died from restraint following a seizure, another died from hanging himself in a seclusion room. Other cases included a four-year-old girl who was tied to a chair and abused, five children who were duct-taped to their desks, and a ten-year-old boy who was put in a seclusion room “75 times over a 6-month period for hours at a time for offenses such as whistling, slouching and hand-waving.”The report only adds to stories around the country of disabled children being handcuffed, locked in closets and bathrooms, and restrained with chemicals and lemon spray. “These are essentially torture tactics that are outlawed for terrorists, but children with autism and other disabilities have no federal regulations in place protecting them,” says Wendy Fournier of NAA. “We’re not speaking of all teachers – but we do need to protect children from the ones who are putting them in danger.”

This week, the group launched an ad campaign with headlines that called handcuffs “the new circle time, and “when our disabled children can’t figure out how to sit still, more schools are showing them the ropes.” They’re asking lawmakers to ban dangerous restraint and seclusion and enforce proper training, ample reporting, and better monitoring.

Empowering parents is also key. “Thanks to organizations like APRAIS and Families Against Restraint and Seclusion, parents are armed with information and can download a sample ‘no consent’ form to give to their schools,” says Rita Shreffler of NAA.

To download the letter and take action, visit www.nationalautism.org.
Take Action Against Abuse, Restraint, Seclusion

Interview with Jonathan King's Patents

Examining the Abusive and Deadly Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Schools

Full Committee Hearing 10:00 AM, May 19, 2009 2175 Rayburn H.O.B. Washington, DC
On Tuesday, May 19, the House Committee on Education and Labor will hold a hearing to examine abusive and deadly uses of seclusion and restraint in U.S. schools. Seclusion and restraint are physical interventions used by teachers and other school staff to prevent students from hurting themselves or others.

If you missed the hearings today you can watch by clicking on this link.
Archived Webcast »
Ater the link opens and the hearing starts you can right click on your scree to enlarge.

Committee on Education & Labor
Hon. George Miller - Chairman
http://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/2009/05/examining-the-abusive-and-dead.shtml

GAO Report Finds Hundreds of Allegations of Abusive and Deadly Uses of Seclusion and Restraint in Schools

Federal action is needed, says Chairman Miller

May 19, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new government report released today found hundreds of allegations that schoolchildren have been abused, and some even died, as a result of inappropriate uses of seclusion and restraint in classrooms. These abusive practices were used disproportionately on children with disabilities.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office, which conducted the first government investigation specifically into schools’ use of these practices at the request of U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, testified about its findings at a committee hearing today. Their report examined ten of these cases in detail; in four of them, these abuses were fatal. Two parents of victims in these cases also testified, including a mother whose foster son died as a result.

“GAO’s report shows that in too many cases, a child’s life wound up being threatened even though that child was not a threat to others,” said Miller. “This behavior, in some instances, looks like torture. The current situation is unacceptable and cannot continue.”

Seclusion, as the term is used in this context, means the act of involuntarily confining a student in an area by himself. Restraint is used to restrict an individual’s freedom of movement. As GAO explained today, restraint can become fatal when it blocks air to the lungs. In some of the cases examined, ropes, duct tape, chairs with straps and bungee cords were used to retrain or isolate young children.

Unlike in hospitals, other health care facilities and most non-medical community-based facilities that receive federal funding, there are currently no federal laws that restrict the use of seclusion and restraint in public or private schools. State regulation and oversight varies greatly. Nineteen states have no laws governing the appropriate use of seclusion and restraint in schools.

Please click on the link below to view the full article.

http://edlabor.house.gov/newsroom/2009/05/gao-report-finds-hundreds-of-a.shtml

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School Seclusion Rooms Outrage Parents

School Seclusion Rooms Outrage Parents

Emotions ran high after austic children were placed in seclusion rooms at a West Chester school. Now parents want answers as to why officials felt it was wise or even safe.

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COPAA RELEASES REPORT DETAILING 143 INCIDENTS OF AVERSIVE INTERVENTIONS IN SCHOOL PROGRAMS

UNSAFE IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE:
ABUSE OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

COPAA RELEASES REPORT DETAILING 143 INCIDENTS OF AVERSIVE INTERVENTIONS IN SCHOOL PROGRAMS: In Majority of Cases, Parents Had Not Consented, Schools Did Not Provide Comprehensive Positive Behavioral Intervention Plans

May 5, 2009
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. (COPAA) today released a report asking Congress to stop the use of restraints, seclusion, and aversives upon children with disabilities in school. The report entitled, Unsafe In The Schoolhouse: Abuse Of Children With Disabilities, details 143 incidents of the use of abusive interventions against children with disabilities in school. The report also includes suggested legislative remedies.

The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) is a national nonprofit organization of parents, advocates, and attorneys who work to protect the civil rights of children with disabilities and ensure that they receive appropriate educational services. We have over 1200 members in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Our members see the successes and failures of special education through thousands of eyes, every day of every year.

No child should be subject to abuse in the guise of education. Every child’s dignity and human rights must be respected. Abusive interventions are neither educational nor effective. They are dangerous and unjust. Congress should act swiftly to adopt national legislation to protect children with disabilities. Thirty miles and a state border should not determine whether a child receives comprehensive protection or little protection.

In March-April 2009, we conducted a survey that identified 143 cases in which children were subjected to aversive interventions. We received reports of children subject to prone restraints; injured by larger adults who restrained them; tied, taped and trapped in chairs and equipment; forced into locked seclusion rooms; made to endure pain, humiliation and deprived of basic necessities, and subjected to a variety of other abusive techniques. The most recent report involved events revealed only in the last month: a father learned that his 8 year old son was restrained 60 times over a 9-10 month period.

Of the survey respondents, 71% had not consented to the use of aversive interventions; 16% had, but many believed the interventions would only be used in limited circumstances where there was an imminent threat of injury. Moreover, 71% reported that the children in involved did not have a research-based positive behavioral intervention plans; 10% did (but parents often said that the plan was not followed). 84% of children restrained were under 14 years of age, with 53% aged 6-10.

The use of abusive interventions primarily occurred in segregated disability-only classrooms or in private seclusion rooms, away from the eyes of witnesses, with only 26% of the respondents reporting incidents in the regular classroom. Almost every disability category was represented: Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome (cited by 68% of the survey respondents), ADD/ADHD (27%); Developmental Delay, Emotional Disturbance, Intellectual Disability and Speech/Language Impairment (14%-20% of respondents); Specific Learning Disabilities (11%), and others. Many parents also indicated that their children had Down Syndrome, epilepsy, Tourette Syndrome and other specific conditions.

Among the incidents of abuse reported to COPAA are these:
9 year old boy with autism in Tennessee was restrained face-down in his school's isolation room for four hours. One adult was across his torso and another across his legs, even though he weighed only 52 pounds. His mother was denied access to him, as she heard him scream and cry. He received bruises and marks all over his body from the restraints. He was released to his mother only after she presented a due process hearing notice under the IDEA.

The teacher of a 15 year old Californian with Down Syndrome reported to his parents that he had been confined inside a closet with an aide as in-school suspension. The teacher was concerned about the confinement and believed it to be wrong. Although the child had a behavioral intervention plan, the school district did not follow it. He was in the closet all day. He was only allowed out to go to the bathroom, causing extreme humiliation as he walked in front of his classmates.

An 11 year old South Carolinian girl was being restrained with beanbags on the floor, and the school attempted to use a straightjacket restraint on her. As a result of advocacy by her attorneys, the restraints were terminated. Her curriculum was changed to be more age appropriate because her behaviors likely resulted from being bored with curriculum. A new crisis plan was put into place to avoid restraint: if the student became aggressive toward staff, the staff would break away from the student and briefly leave the classroom. Using this plan, the child quickly calmed down and went to her desk area. Previously, the school district had requested that the parent take the child home early on regular basis; parents report this has not happened for the last 2 months. With the new behavioral plan, the child has made substantial progress in school.

The report includes a summary of all 143 incidents.
COPAA applauds the school teachers, personnel, administrators, and education leaders who join us in rejecting the use of restraints, seclusion, and aversives and in providing Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS). At the same time, we stress the importance of adopting effective laws to keep children safe. These include mandatory PBS, statutory prohibitions on the use of restraints, seclusion, and aversives, and strong enforcement mechanisms to hold school district accountable for violations.

Congress should act immediately to ban prone and mechanical restraints, all restraints that interfere with breathing, locked seclusion rooms, and the application of painful aversives. In addition, physical restraint may only be permitted when there is an imminent threat of serious injury to self or others. School districts and their personnel must be held accountable for any violations of the law, and parents must have all legal remedies to pursue justice. All children must receive comprehensive positive behavioral intervention plans, and schools must provide training on PBS, the harms of aversive interventions, and the applicable legal requirements. Schools must also monitor and report the number of aversive interventions. The public policy recommendations are discussed in greater detail in the full report.

The full report, including the 143 incidents of abusive interventions in school and COPAA’s legislative recommendations, is available here.

Restraint and Seclusion Behind Closed Doors 01-23-2009

Report from the National Disability Rights Network - School is Not Supposed to Hurt

The National Disability Rights Network Releases Shocking Report on Restraint and Seclusion in U.S. Schools.

Please click on the link below "School is not Supposed to Hurt" to review the report that was released to the press on 01/13/2009.

School is Not Supposed to Hurt: Investigative Report on Abusive Restraint and Seclusion in Schools.
REPORT : School is Not Supposed to Hurt (pdf)

BAN PRONE RESTRAINT

News from: COALITION AGAINST INSTITUTIONALIZED CHILD ABUSE (CAICA)

Please sign the Petition to Ban face-down, prone restraint use on children and teens http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/831847137

The use of face-down prone restraints on children and teens in residential treatment settings and schools is on the rise. These restraints have proven to be very detrimental to children's physical and mental health, and have proved deadly on many occasions. It is our hope these restraints will be banned in the United States.

What are they doing to our children? http://caica.org/RESTRAINT_AND_SECLUSION_CAICA.htm

Restraint Deaths
http://caica.org/RESTRAINTS%20Death%20List.htm
Facility Deaths
http://caica.org/NEWS%20Deaths%20List%20of%20Names%20-names%20omitted.htm

Isabelle Zehnder, Founder and President, Coalition Against Institutionalized Child Abuse (CAICA) http://caica.org/index.htm

Restraint and Seclusion, Behind Closed Doors

Why is the school staff restraining my child? He can't help the way he is and what they are doing to him is only making his behaviors worse. Don't they understand this? They are breaking his spirit!

These are the words of so many parents.


***************************************************

Florida Schools Overlook Disabled Students
11/08/2008
The arrest and detention of a 9-year-old girl with mental illness at a Fort Myers school last month was more than just a personal tragedy for the family. It was a sad reminder that children with disabilities are not gettingthe special care they need in our schools and that too many are being shoved needlessly into the juvenile-justice system. Click on the link below ro read the complete story.
http://www.theledger.com/article/20081104/COLUMNISTS/811040308?Title=Schools_Overlook_Disabled_Students



'Pattern of Abuse of Autistic Children in Florida Schools'
08/22/2008 Miami, FL
There is a pattern of abuse, neglect and humiliation. That's what more than 100 parents of autistic children in Florida are telling the state attorney general's office and anyone who will listen.The parents and others claim children with autism are being mistreated — in some cases physically harmed — by teachers and staff who are supposed to be helping them. On the Treasure Coast alone, there are two potential lawsuits against the St. Lucie County School District by parents of autistic children."These aren't isolated incidents. This is an epidemic," said one Port St. Lucie parent, Anna Moore, who says her then-7-year-old autistic son was mistreated by staff at his school in 2007. "It's time it stopped."
Click on the link below to read the complete story.
http://www.autismconnect.org/news.asp?section=00010001&itemtype=news&id=6450



Some Calif. Schools Locking Children In Closets
Jun 27, 2008
Locking children in closets doesn't sound like something that could possibly happen in California's school system. But CBS 5 Investigates has uncovered evidence that it is a hidden problem, not reported by schools, and unknown to many parents.A closet in a classroom that brings the memories back for a student we will call Chris."The door is closed, it's totally dark. There is a little tiny beam of light that comes under the door, but that's it." Chris told CBS 5 Investigates. When he was asked if he was trapped, he responded, "Pretty much."Chris was a 6th grader at Mendenhall Middle School in Livermore. Despite his high IQ, behaviors resulting from a diagnosis of ADHD landed him in a special education class. He quickly discovered that anything considered 'misbehavior', like getting up out of your chair or not completing class assignments meant a trip to the closet."You really don't understand what it's like until you actually go through it," Chris said. Click on the link below to read the complete story.
http://cbs5.com/investigates/school.quiet.room.2.758380.html

Our Mission Statement

To eliminate the over-use and unnecessary use of restraint and seclusion of children with disabilities in the public school system.

To promote the use of positive behavior support systems in all public schools.

To advocate for FBA's to be written by qualified certified behavior analysts.

To educate people about the dangers of restraint and seclusion.

Follow the eight steps below.

What You Can Do to Help Stop the Overuse and Unnecessary Use of Restraint and Seclusion In Your State

In order to create change, we must work together to fight this as a group. We cannot do this alone. If you or someone you love has been restrained or placed in seclusion, or if you want the overuse and abuse of restraint and seclusion to stop, here are some things you can do in your state:

1.
Contact The Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System and Client Assistance Program (CAP) in your state. http://www.napas.org/aboutus/PA_CAP.htm

2.
If your child has been physically restrained in school, file written complaints with your state DOE about your situation in regards to your child being restrained or put in seclusion. This may not do much but at least it will be documented and on file. This will create a paper trail.

3.
Contact your state legislatures and make them aware of the restraint and seclusion problem families are having in your state. Start with a letter, follow up with a phone call and then a meeting in person. Suggest that a bill be created or a current law be updated to protect children with disabilities in the public school system. You will need the support of other families and advocacy groups to get this accomplished.
State Legislatures Internet Links
http://www.ncsl.org/public/leglinks.cfm

4.
Contact your local Media and share your story.
Media Tool Kit from APRAIS http://aprais.tash.org/toolkit.htm

5.
Report abuse to your local Child Protection Agency. Note: Most Child protection agencies do not have any authority over public schools but most will go in and investigate and write up a report. Paper trail.

6.
Take pictures of any marks or bruises on your child's body and document, document, document.

7.
Work with other families to create your own state group to stop restraint and seclusion on our children in the public school system.

8.
Encourage parents to follow the above tips for what to do if their child has been or is suspected to have been restrained or placed in seclusion at school.

Please remember, if you do nothing then nothing will ever change.

If you need help with any of the above, contact us at familiesagainstrestraint@yahoo.com or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RESTRAINT_INFO

What to Do if Your Child Is Restrained or You Suspect Was Restrained

1. Take pictures of any visible injuries and document those injuries.

2. Take your child to his/her Pediatrician or the Emergency room for a complete physical examination.

3. Call the child abuse hotline and report it.

4. File a police report.

5. Send a "No Restraint" letter to the school principal, the district superintendent and/or members of the school board. You may want to either hand-deliver this or send it certified mail. A sample letter can be found here: http://www.bridges4kids.org/IEP/NoRestraintLetter.html
You can change the "No Restraint Letter" to fit your needs. Make sure you add that that school staff are not to call the police also. Make it clear that you want them to contact the family members you have listed and that restraint, seclusion and the police are not necessary.
Note: This form may not stop the schools from restraining children but they will not be able to come back later on and say that you were aware that your child was being restrained and never objected.

6. File a complaint with your state Department of Education:
http://www.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html?src=ln

7. File a complaint with you state Disabilities Rights Network (aka Protection and Advocacy):
http://www.napas.org/aboutus/PA_CAP.htm

8. Contact Families Against Restraint and Seclusion at http://www.blogger.com/familiesagainstrestraint@yahoo.com and share your experience. We understand what you're going through because we too have lived through it.

Special Education Law Advocacy for Parents and Advocates

Wrightslaw - Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities. Learn about IEP's IDEA law and more.
http://www.wrightslaw.com/


Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004)
http://www.copaa.net/news/idea04.html

Articles about the dangers of restraint and seclusion

Any restraint can have devastating, unintended, long-term consequences, but the most dangerous form is face-down or face up, or prone and supine restraint. The following articles highlight the often-fatal dangers of prone restraint.

The lethal Hazard of Prone Restraint:
Positional Asphyxiation
Protection and Advocacy, INC. Investigations Unit
Oakland, California - April 2002
http://www.advocacycenter.org/documents/The_Lethal_Hazard_of_Prone_Restraint.pdf


The Use of Seclusion is NOT Evidence-Based Practice
Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, Oct-Dec 2001 by Finke, Linda M
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3892/is_200110/ai_n8993463/


American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Seclusion & Restraint - Some Surprising Finding
Kim J. Masters, M.D.
http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/member_information/practice_information/sep/oct_2005_aacap_news_seclusion_restraint_some_surprising_findings

Jan/Feb 2006 AACAP News - Seclusion & Restraint - Rediscovering Pathways to Compassionate CareAmerican Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/member_information/practice_information/jan/feb_2006_aacap_news_seclusion_restraint_rediscovering_pathways_to_compassionate_care

Unavoidable Risks of Injury Associated with the use of Takdowns in Restraint
Medscape Today 2006
http://doctor.medscape.com/viewarticle/528949_3


There's No Such Thing as a Safe Restraint
Wanda K. Mohr, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN
Monday March 10, 2008
http://include.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/NJ02/80305005


Catalogue of incompetence shows dangers of restraint
United Kingdom, November 1, 2006
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2006/nov/01/mentalhealth.socialcare


List of Known Restraint Deaths
http://www.caica.org/NEWS%20Deaths%20List%20of%20Names%20-names%20omitted.htm

Is Your School on Our List?

State by State Listing of Schools that have allegedly overused or unnecessarily used Restraint & Seclusion

The following schools have been identified or reported as schools that have allegedly over used or unnecessarily used restraint or seclusion and/or engaged in other abusive practices. Is your school on the list? Should it be? If so, please email familiesagainstrestraint@yahoo.com with the school name, school district, city, and state. Your contact information will be kept confidential.

Disclaimer: This list is accurate to the best of our knowledge. Please be advised that we have not personally investigated the schools on this list, but have compiled this list from published newspaper articles and/or received reports from parents, advocates, and/or others concerned about the welfare of children. We are not accusing any school or individual of wrongdoing, only reporting "allegations" for informational purposes only.

UPDATED January 21, 2009

Alabama
1. Madison County Elementary School, Madison County, Gurly, AL (Rape)

Arizona
1. Playa Del Rey Elementary School 550 N Horne Street, Gilbert AZ (Time out closet)
2. Settlers’ Point Elementary, Gilbert, AZ (Restraint: Repeated restraints of 5 yr old boy with autism)

California
1. Bret Harte Middle School, San Jose School District, San Jose, CA (Restraint by Handcuffs)
2. John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Modesto, CA
3. Lake View Elementary, Ocean View School District, Oakland, CA (Prone Restraint of 7 yr old boy with autism)
4. Mendenhall Middle School, Livermore School District, Livermore, CA (Restraint and Seclusion)
5. Monterrey Road Elementary, San Louis Obispo County Office of Education, Atascadero, CA (Restraint; Quiet Rooms)
6. Spectrum Schools, Oakland, CA (Restraint)

Colorado
1. Colorado Boys Ranch, Colorado Springs, CO (Restraint and Seclusion)
2. Johnson Elementary School, Poudre School District, Fort Collins, CO (Restraint and Seclusion)
3. Linton Elementary School, Poudre School District, Fort Collins, CO (Restraint and Seclusion)
4. Werner Elementary School, Poudre School District, Fort Collins, CO (Restraint and Seclusion)
5. Will Rogers Elementary School, Colorado Springs, CO (Restraint and Seclusion)
6. Zach Core Knowledge School, Poudre School District, Fort Collins, CO (Restraint of child with epilepsy
7. Sanchez Elementary School, Lafayette, CO. (Restraint and Seclusion)

Connecticut
1. Chamberlain Elementary School - New Britain, CT (Unreasonable force, unlawful restraint, physical, psychological and emotional abuse against special ed students)
2. Dwight Elementary School - Fairfield, CT (Cruelty to Autistic child)
3. O’Brien Learning Center, Seymour, CT (Seclusion Rooms used for children as young as 3)
4. Oxridge Elementary School, Darien, CT (Locked padded seclusion room; other seclusions of 6 yr old boy with autism)
5. New Canaan CT Public School - New Canaan CT (Abuse and neglect)
6. River Street School, Hartford, CT (Multiple restraints of 6 yr old boy with autism)
7. Unnamed Special Education Preschool, Middlebury, CT (Seclusion: 4 yr old boy with autism placed in closet)
8. Wilton High School, Wilton, CT (Restraints)

Florida
1. Avon Elementary School, Highlands District, Highlands County, FL (6 yr old girl arrested from her special education classroom for “disrupting classroom” with her crying and resisting forced removal from classroom)
2. Chaires Elementary School, Leon County School District, Tallahassee, FL (Locked Seclusion room)
3. Challenger School, Martin County School District, Stuart, FL (Restraint, Abuse, Neglect)
4. Colonial Elementary School, Fort Meyers, FL
5. CREST School - Citrus County (Seclusion)
6. Florida Christian Institute of Academic Excellence, Fort Meyers, FL
7. Garden City Elementary School, St Lucie County, FL
8. Immokalee Community School, Immokalee, FL (Abuse: Teacher fired after he became drunk on field trip, kept 5 children in a locked hotel room, and verbally and physically assaulted them)
9. Kirby-Smith Middle School, Duvall County School District, Jacksonville, FL (Restraint: Teacher accused of duct taping boy to desk)
10. Lantana Middle School, Palm Beach, FL (Restraint: Boy with autism restrained 89 times in 14 months)
11. Limestone Creek Elementary School, Jupiter, FL (Restraint)
12. Manatee Elementary. St. Lucie County, FL
13. Monarch High School, Coconut Creek, FL (Abuse: Teacher’s aide under investigation for throwing metal chair at boy with autism)
14. Oak Hammock K-8, St Lucie County, FL
15. Pelican Elementary School, Lee County, FL
16. Pinellas Central Elementary, Pinellas County FL
17. Royal Palm Exceptional School, Lee County, Ft. Myers, FL
18. Simons Career Center, Hillsboro County, Plant City, FL (Restraint and Seclusion)
19. South Seminole Middle School, Seminole County Public Schools, Cassleberry, Seminole Country (Abuse: Teacher charged with abusing 5 boys with autism multiple times)
20.Three Oaks Elementary, Lee County, FL (Restraint)
21. Trafalgar Elementary School, Lee County, FL
22. Unnamed School, Pinellas County, FL (Locked Seclusion Room: 9 yr old child with “severe emotional handicaps placed in concrete 6 x 6 room)
23. Venice Elementary School, Sarasota County School District, Venice, FL (Abuse: Special Ed. Teacher charged with Physical Abuse of students)
24. Villas Elementary, Fort Meyers, FL

Georgia
1. Alpine Psychoeducational Program, Pioneer Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA), Gainesville, GA (Seclusion DEATH: Suicide by hanging)
2. Chestatee Elementary, Cummng, GA 30040 (We are happy to report this school NO LONGER USES SECLUSION ROOMS!)
3. Hephzibah Elementary School, Richmond Cty, Georgia (Abuse, Seclusion)
4. Hightower Trail Middle School, Marietta, GA. Cobb County School District.
School used seclusion on a student 3 days after a detailed
IEP was created which stated that seclusion was not allowed.

Illinois
1. Jefferson Elementary School, Harvard, IL (Substitute teacher convicted of aggravated battery/unlawful restraint, sentenced to two years probation, a $1500 fine and 80 hours public service; taped two children with disabilities to chairs)
2. John B. Ward Du Quoin, IL
3. Robert Frost Jr. High School, Schaumburg, IL
4. Schaumburg Township Elementary School District 54, Schaumburg, IL

Indiana
1. Fairview Elementary School, Richmond Community Schools, Wayne County, Richmond, IN (Restraint Injury)

Iowa
1. Adel Elementary School, Adel-Desoto-Minburg Community School District, Adel, IA (Seclusion)
2. Walnut Hills Elementary, Waukee, IA ( Seclusion, including one lasting 3.5 hours)
3. Waukee Elementary School, Waukee, IA (Restraint and Seclusion)

Kansas
1. Heartspring, Witchita, KS
2. Cleaveland Traditional Magnet (Overused and unnecessarily used Restraint & Seclusion)
Wichita, Kansas

Kentucky
1. Crestwood Elementary School, Oldham County, KY (Seclusion: Boy with autism placed in locked closet 78 times in 11 weeks)
2. Louisa West Elementary - Louisa, KY (Restraint)

Maine
1. Southern Aroostook Community School CSD #9 - Dyer Brook, Maine (Restraining)
2. Houlton Elementary S.A.D. 29 - Houlton, Maine (Restraint and Seclusion)

Maryland
1. Bowling Brook Preparatory School, Keymar, MD (Restraint Death – Private School)

Massachusetts
1. Alice A. Macomber Elementary School, Westport, MA (Abuse: Two teachers charged with physically abusing a boy with autism)
2. James M. Quinn Elementary School in Dartmouth, MA (Restraint and Seclusion)
3. Judge Rotenberg Education Center, Canton, MA (Restraint and Electroshock)
4. The Schwartz Center for Children (third party for the Dartmouth Public School) Dartmouth, MA (Basket Restraint Chair)
5. Wildwood Elementary School Amherst, MA 01002
Amherst-Pelham Regional School District (Restraint and Seclusion)


Michigan
1. Farley Hill Elementary, Pinckney, MI (Restraints)
2. Genesee Intermediate School District, MI
3. Lakeland Elementary School, Pinckney School District, Hamburg, MI (Restraints; Principal’s office used for seclusion room; improper arrest of special needs child)
4. Millet Learning Center , Bridgeport, MI (Restraint Death)
5. Navigator Middle School, Pickney, MI (Restraints and Seclusion)
6. Parchment High School, MI (Restraint Death)
7. Pathfinder Middle School, Pinckney, MI (Restraints and Seclusion)
8. Pinckney Elementary School, Pinckney, MI (Restraints)
9. Pinckney High School, Pickney, MI (Locked seclusion room)

Minnesota
1. Adams Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)2. Aitkin Elementary School, Aitkin School District, FL (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 8 feet by 8 feet unlocked seclusion room)3. Alden-Conger ECFE, Alden-Conger Public School District, Alden, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 unlocked seclusion rooms)4. Andover Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Andover, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 seclusion rooms)5. Anoka High School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Anoka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified two seclusion rooms)6. Armstrong Elementary School, South Washington School District, Cottage Grove, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)7. Becker Intermediate Elementary School, Becker Public School District, Becker, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked and unlocked seclusion rooms)8. Becker Primary School, Becker Public School District, Becker, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked and unlocked seclusion rooms)9. Bel Air Elementary School, Moundsville Public School District, New Brighton, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)10. Bell Center School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 seclusion rooms)11. Bellaire Transition Program, N.E. Metro District 916, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)12. Bird Island Elementary School, BOLD Public Schools #2534, Bird Island, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)13. Bren Road Education Center, Intermediate School District 287, Minnetonka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified "calming" room; district cited in 2005 for failure to properly incorporate the use of time-out for seclusion into students IEP, failure to properly document amount of time student spent in time out, kept student in time out in excess of 15 minutes and denied student access to water, failure to provide a well ventilated room for time out. Corrective action was implemented.)14. Humboldt Junior High School, St. Paul, MN (Sexual Abuse: Special Education teacher allegedly had sex with 14 yr old girl with disabilities)15. Burnsville High, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Burnsville, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)16. Capitol View Center Alternative Learning Program, N.E. Metro School District 916, Saint Paul, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)17. Capitol View Center, Creative Alternatives Program, N.E. Metro School District 916, Saint Paul, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)18. Cedar Mountain Elementary School, Cedar Mountain School District, Cedar Mountain, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)19. Centennial Elementary School, Richfield School District, Richfield, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 feet by 6 feet by 9 feet seclusion room)20. Central Family Center, Shakopee School District, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room not currently in use)21. Central Middle School, Columbia Heights School District, Saint Paul, MN ((Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)22. Champlin Park High School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Champlin, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)23. Clear Springs Elementary School, Minnetonka School District, Minnetonka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 6 feet by 6 feet seclusion room)24. Coon Rapids High School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 seclusion rooms)25. Cornelia Elementary School, Edina School District, Edina, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 10 feet by 4.5 feet seclusion room no longer in use)26. Crosby Elementary, Crosby, MN (Single child restrained over 100 times; over 40 hours spent in "Time Out" Room)27. Cuyuna Range Elementary School, Crosby-Ironton Public Schools, FL (Seclusion Rooms: Special investigation identified 2 seclusion rooms; one room is 8 feet 2 inches, the other one is 7 feet 8 inches)28. Dakota Ridge School, Rosemont-Apple Valley-Eagan School District, Apple Valley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 9 feet by 12 feet seclusion room; district cited in 2002, corrective action plan approved)29. Eagle Creek Elementary School, Shakopee District 720, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 7 feet by 9 feet seclusion room)30. Edward Neill Elementary, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Burnsville, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)31. Fergus Falls Special Ed. Coop., Fergus Falls, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room at elementary and middle school levels)32. Fertile-Beltrami High School, Fertile Beltrami ISD 599, Fertile, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 9 feet by 15 feet seclusion room)33. Five Lakes Elementary School, Fairmont School District, Fairmont, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 3 9 feet by 6 feet seclusion rooms)34. Five Lakes Junior High School, Fairmont School District, Fairmont, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 9 feet by 6 feet seclusion rooms)35. Five Lakes Senior High School, Fairmont School District, Fairmont, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 9 feet by 6 feet seclusion rooms)36. Forest Lake Area School District, Forest Lake, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion rooms in 3 elementary schools and 1 junior high school in the district)37. Fred Moore Middle School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Anoka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)38. Gateway Level IV Program, North Branch School District, North Branch, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6x8, 8x8, 8x10, 10x12, 10x14, 23x10 seclusion rooms throughout district)39. Golden Lake Elementary School, Centennial School District 12, Circle Pines, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked seclusion room)40. Groveland Elementary School, Minnetonka School District, Minnetonka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 6 feet by 6 feet seclusion room)41. Hamilton Elementary, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)42. Hidden Valley Elementary, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Savage, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)43. Highlands Elementary School, Edina School District, Edina, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 8.5 feet by 9 feet seclusion room no longer in use)44. Hillside Elementary School, South Washington County School District, Cottage Grove, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)45. Hinckley-Finlayson EBD School, Hinckley-Finlayson School District, Hinckley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 50 feet by 50 feet seclusion room)46. Hinckley-Finlayson Elementary School, Hinckley-Finlayson School District, Hinckley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 50 feet by 50 feet seclusion room)47. Hinckley-Finlayson High School, Hinckley-Finlayson School District, Hinckley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 50 feet by 50 feet seclusion room)48. Hosterman Education Center, Intermediate School District 287, New Hope, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified "calming" room; district cited in 2005 for failure to properly incorporate the use of time-out for seclusion into students IEP, failure to properly document amount of time student spent in time out, kept student in time out in excess of 15 minutes and denied student access to water, failure to provide a well ventilated room for time out. Corrective action was implemented.)49. Humboldt Junior High School, St. Paul, MN (Sexual Abuse: Special Education teacher allegedly had sex with 14 yr old girl with disabilities)50. Jackson Middle School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Champlin, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation found 2 seclusion rooms)51. Kimball Area High School, Kimball School District, Kimball, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 7 feet by 6 feet seclusion room)52. Lakeview Elementary School, Albert Lea District 241, MN (Special investigation identified 8 feet by 9 feet locked seclusion room; school cited on 10/18/06 for safety code violations due to lack of lock disengagement system and lack of sprinkler system; room stopped was not used until repairs were made; unknown whether room is still used)53. LO Jacob Elementary, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 3 seclusion rooms)54. Long Prairie Elementary School, Long Prairie & Grey Eagle School District 2753, Long Prairie, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 11 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)55. Marion W. Savage Elementary, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Savage, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)56. Middle River High School, Greenbush, MN (Seclusion Room: Special Investigation identified 4 foot by 4 foot unlocked seclusion room)57. Milaca Elementary School, Milaca School District, Milaca, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked 9 feet 11 inches seclusion room and unlocked 6 feet 2 inches, by 5 feet 4 inches seclusion room in district; complaint filed 8 years ago was dismissed)58. Milaca High School, Milaca School District, Milaca, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked 9 feet 11 inches seclusion room and unlocked 6 feet 2 inches, by 5 feet 4 inches seclusion room in district; complaint filed 8 years ago was dismissed)59. Minnewaska Area Day Treatment Program, Minnewaska School District, Minnewaska, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked seclusion room)60. Minnewaska Elementary School, Minnewaska School District, Minnewaska, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)61. Minnewaska High School, Minnewaska School District, Minnewaska, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)62. Monroe Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Brooklyn Park, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)63. Moorehead Senior High School, Moorehead Area School District, Moorehead, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 seclusion rooms – one possibly Room 208; complaint filed, results unknown)64. Newport Elementary School, South Washington County School District, Newport, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)65. New Prague High School, New Prague School District, New Prague, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 13 feet by 11.5 feet seclusion room)66. New Prague Middle School, New Prague School District, New Prague, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 15 feet by 30 feet seclusion room)67. New Ulm School Grades 4-6, New Ulm School District, New Ulm, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 7 feet by 10 feet seclusion room)68. New Ulm School Grades 7-12, New Ulm School District, New Ulm, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)69. North Branch High School, North Branch School Distrcit, North Branch, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6x8, 8x8, 8x10, 10x12, 10x14, 23x10 seclusion rooms throughout district)70. North Branch Middle School, North Brach School District, North Branch, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6x8, 8x8, 8x10, 10x12, 10x14, 23x10 seclusion rooms throughout district)71. North Branch Primary School, North Branch School District, North Branch, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6x8, 8x8, 8x10, 10x12, 10x14, 23x10 seclusion rooms throughout district)72. Northdale Middle School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)73. North Elementary School, Princeton School District, Princeton, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)74. Northpoint Elementary School, Spring Lake Park School District, Spring Lake Park, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)75. Northwest Counseling and Guidance Clinic, Rice Lake, Minneapolis, MN (RESTRAINT DEATH: 7 yr old Angelika "Angie" Arndt" died due to asphyxia during a prone restraint; death ruled a homicide)76. Northwood Childrens' Home, Duluth, MN (RESTRAINT DEATH: 17 yr old Bobby Sue Thomas died on 8/16/96 during prone restraint)77. Oakview Middle School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Anoka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)78. Oxbow Creek Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Champlin, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)79. PACT Charter School, Ramsey, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 feet wide by 6.5 feet long seclusion room)80. Park Terrace Elementary School, Spring Lake Park School District, Spring Lake Park, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)81. Pearson Elementary School, Shakopee District 720, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 10 feet by 20 feet seclusion room)82. Pine River-Backus Elementary School (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified school has seclusion room)83. Pine River-Backus High School (Seclusion Room: Special investigation indentified school has seclusion room)84. Princeton Middle School, Princeton School District, Princeton, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)85. Ramsey Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Anoka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)86. Red Oak Elementary School, Shakopee District 720, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 10 feet by 13 feet seclusion room)87. Red Rock Elementary School, South Washington County School District, Woodbury, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)88. Redwood Valley High School, Redwood School District, Redwood, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet 8 inches x 9 feet by 8 inches seclusion room)89. Redwood Valley Middle School, Redwood School District, Redwood, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 5 feet 3 inchess seclusion room)90. Reed Gray Elementary School, Redwood School District, Redwood, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 7 feet 6 inches by 7 feet 3 inches seclusion room)91. Richfield Intermediate School, Richfield School District, Richfield, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 feet by 6 feet by 9 feet seclusion room)92. Richfield Middle School, Richfield School District, Richfield, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 feet by 6 feet by 9 feet seclusion room)93. River Valley Education Center, River Valley School District, River Valley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified two 10 feet by 12 feet seclusion rooms)94. Royalton Elementary School, Royalton School District, Royalton, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 7.5 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)95. Rum River Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Andover, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room) 96. Scenic Heights Elementary School, Minnetonka School District, Minnetonka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 6 feet by 6 feet seclusion room)97. Scott Highlands Middle School, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District, Apple Valley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 7 feet seclusion room)98. Sheridian Hill Elementary, Richfield School District, Richfield, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 feet by 6 feet by 9 feet seclusion room)99. Sky Oaks Elementary School, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Burnsville, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room) 100. Sky View Elementary School, North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District, Oakdale, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)101. Sleepy Eye School District, Sleepy Eye, MN ((Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 8 feet by 15 feet "quiet room")102. Snail Lake Education Center, Bridges Program, Moundsview Public School District, Shoreview, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)103. Sorteberg Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Andover, MN (Seclusion room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)104. South Education Center, Intermediate School District 287, Richfield, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified "calming" room; district cited in 2005 for failure to properly incorporate the use of time-out for seclusion into students IEP, failure to properly document amount of time student spent in time out, kept student in time out in excess of 15 minutes and denied student access to water, failure to provide a well ventilated room for time out. Corrective action was implemented.)105. South Elementary School, Princeton School District, Princeton, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)106. SUCCESS Program, Southland Independent School District 500, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 11.5 feet by 5.5 feet seclusion room)107. Sun Path Elementary School, Shakopee District 720, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)108. Sunrise River Elementary School, North Branch School District, North Branch, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)109. Sweeney Elementary School, Shakopee District 720, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)110. Turtle Lake Elementary School, Wings Program, Moundsville Public School District, Shoreview, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)111. Vale Educational Center, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Eagan, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)112. Valley Crossing Community School, N.E. Metro School District 916, Woodbury, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)113. Valley View Elementary School, Columbia Heights School District, Bloomington, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)114. West Side Elementary School, Marshall School District, Marshall, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 7 feet by 7 feet seclusion room)115. Westwood Intermediate School, Spring Lake Park School District, Blaine, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)116. Westwood Middle School, Spring Lake Park School District, Blaine, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room) 117. White Bear Lake High School South Campus Program, N.E. Metro District 916, White Bear Lake, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)

Missouri
1. North Mercer R3, Mercer, MO (Seclusion Room: Closet converted to seclusion room)
2. Underwood Elementary School, Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, Lee’s Summit, MO (Seclusion: Child kept in closet for most of a month)

Nevada
1. Reed Elementary School, Las Vegas, NV (Abuse: Teacher charged with 5 counts felony child abuse; allegedly pinched, pushed, and otherwise abused children with autism)

New Jersey
1. A. Russel Knight, Cherry Hill School District, Cherry Hill, NJ (Padded closet for seclusion and use of physical restraints)
2. Bancroft School, Haddonfield, NJ (Residential Facility - death)
3. Central Elementary School, East Brunswick NJ, Physical Restraint "Proper emergency policy procedures are not put in place, NO knowledge of or permission from the parents."
4. Clara Barton School, Cherry Hill School District, Cherry Hill, NJ (Seclusion/Padded Room)
5. Cooper Hill Elementary School, Cherry Hill, NJ (Restraint)
6. Horace Mann Elementary School, Cherry Hill school district, Cherry Hill, NJ (Restraint)
7. Kilmer School, Cherry Hill, NJ
8. Kingston Elementary School, Cherry Hill, NJ
9. Thomas Paine Elementary School, Cherry Hill, NJ (Seclusion)
10. Three Bridges School, Readington School District, Hunterdon County, NJ (Abuse/Restraint)

New York
1. Anderson School, Dutchess County, Staatsburg, NY (Abuse and Neglect of child with Autism)
2. Buffalo School #67, Buffalo, NY (Sexual Abuse)
3. 4th Street Education Center, Fulton NY - RITON chair, multiple restraint resulting in injury, aversive behavior modification(lemon spray) enforced medication, 3x4 time out room.
4. Fulton Middle School Fulton, Fulton NY - Oswego BOCES special ed classroom -Use of rifton chairs, multiple restraint, 5x6 concrete storage room used for seclusion, enforced medication, aversive behavior modification(lemon spray)
5. Hicksville School System, Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) Center, Nassau County, NY (Seclusion in 5’ by 6’ “timeout chamber”)
6. Lanigan Elementary School, Fulton, NY (Abuse: Special Education Teacher charged with striking two children with disabilities; charges dismissed)
7. O.D. Heck Development Center, Schenectady, NY (DEATH: Suffocation of a boy with autism during Restraint)
8. Mahopac Falls Elementary, Bridge Program, Mahopac Falls School District, Mahopac, NY (Sexual and Verbal Abuse, Falsification of Records)
9. Public School 81, Ridgewood, NY (Restraint: 5 yr old boy with autism arrested)
10. Tradewinds UCP, Rome NY - Multiple restraint resulting in injury, enforced medication, attempted chemical restraint (hospital refused to administer), 4x6 padded time out room.
11. Wayne Finger Lake, Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) Center, Wayne County, NY (Seclusion in “Time Out” Room)

New Mexico
1. Chaparral Elementary, Santa Fe Schools, Santa Fe, NM (Restraint: Teaching intern charged with duct taping students’ mouths, then later tying 2 students to chairs)
2. Governor Bent Elementary, Albuquerque NM (Restraint and Seclusion)
3. Montezuma Elementary, Albuquerque NM (Restraint and Seclusion)

North Carolina
1. Hope Valley Elementary School, Durham Public Schools, Durham, North Carolina (Therapist Accused of Taping Shut Boy's Mouth)
2. Bethel Elementary Cabarrus County Schools, Midland, NC - Multiple restraints of non-verbal Autistic child.

Ohio
1. C.O. Harrison Elementary School, Oak Hills School District, Cincinnati, OH (Restraint: Boy with ADHD restrained and sent to hospital psych ward without parental notification; Seclusion: “Safe Room”)

Oklahoma
1. High Pointe, Oklahoma City, OK (Death: Failure to provide adequate care)

Oregon
1. Oak Ridge Elementary School, Oak Ridge School District, Oak Ridge, OR (Restraint: Teacher placed on paid leave for taping 9 yr old boy to chair)
2. Waverley Childrens Center - Portland (Restraint and Seclusion)

Pennsylvania
1. Artman Elementary School (K-3), Hermitage School District, Hermitage, PA
2. Bradford Elementary School, West Chester, PA (Restrained in Riften Chair)
3. Edgewood Primary School, Woodland Hills School District
4. Hutchinson Elementary School, Laurel Highlands School District, Uniontown, PA (Restraint and Seclusion of child with autism/epilepsy)
5. Longstreth Elementary School, Philiadelphia School District, Philadelphia PA (Restraints)
6. Martha Washington Elementary, Philadelphia, PA (Abuse)
7. New Canaan Public School, New Canaan, PA (Abuse and Neglect)
8. Northern Potter Children's School, Potter County, PA
9. Summit Quest Academy Ephrata, PA (Residential Facility)
10. Woods Services, Langhorne, PA (Residential Facility) (Abuse and Neglect from Excessive use of Restraints)
11. Henry L. Lawton Elementary School, Philadelphia School District, Philadelphia, PA (isolation, verbal abuse, intimidation and labeling of six-year old).
12. Stroudsburg Intermediate School (grades 3 & 4) Stroudsburg, PA Stroudsburg Area School District (Padded Room - Contradicting a previous claim made by the district's lawyers that no such room existed)

Rhode Island
1. Block Island School, New Shoreham School District, New Shoreham, RI (Seclusion: Concrete seclusion room in basement of school)

South Carolina
1. Liberty Hill Academy, Charleston, SC

Tennessee
1. Chad Youth Enhancement Center, Ashland City, TN (Restraint Death)
2. Genesis Academy, Nashville, TN
3. Oakmont Elementary, Dickenson County, TN (Prone restraint of boy with autism)
4. Williamson County Public Schools, Williamson County (Seclusion of boy with autism multiple times for approximately 3 hours)

Texas
1. Andrews Elementary School, Austin, TX (Abuse: Substitute teacher suspected of physically abusing pre-K boy with autism)
2. Athens Middle School, Athens TX (Abuse)
3. Berta Cabaza Middle School San Benito, Texas (restraint and seclusion)
4. Head Start, Dalhart Tx (Seclusion)
5. Manor Middle School, Killeen, TX (Restraint Death)
6. Cedar Creek Elementary, Eanes Independent School District, Austin, Texas (10 year old Autistic boy restrained improperly)
7. San Benito High School (Brutality, Restraint)
Cameron County, San Benito, Texas

Utah
1. Foothill Elementary School, Brigham City, UT, Box Elder County (Restraint/Seclusion)

Vermont
1. Bennington Elementary, Southern Vermont Supervisory Union, Bennington, VT (Restraint)
2. Catamount Elementary, Bennington, VT (Restraint) (School closed due to district consolidation)
3. Molly Stark Elementary, Bennington, VT (Restraint)
4. Monument Elementary, Bennington, VT (Restraint)
5. St. Anthony’s School, Burlington, VT (Restraint)

Virginia
1. Clover Hill Elementary School, Chesterfield County, VA (Restraint)
2. Falling Branch Elementary School, Christiansonburg, VA (Abuse: Teacher’s aide accused of bruising 6 yr old child in special needs class)
3. Liberty Middle School, Fairfax, VA (Restraint: Child’s feet duct-taped)
4. Stone Spring Elementary, Harrisonburg, Va (Seclusion, restraint of student that is deaf, autistic, multi-handicapped)

West Virginia
1. Elkins Third Ward Elementary School, Randolph County School System, (Restraint/Abuse: 11 yr old boy with Down’s Syndrome and Seizure Disorder strapped to an Easy Stander Chair)
2. New Haven Elementary Preschool, Mason County School District, WV (Physical/Emotional Abuse)

Wisconsin
1. Coolidge Elementary School, Neenah, WI (Abuse: Parents pulls children with special needs from school citing injuries)
2. Red Apple Elementary School Racine, WI

Sample bill to reduce and control restraint and seclusion on children with disabilities in public schools

Please take a look at the sample bill below to help you write a bill to reduce restraint and seclusion in your state.


Use of Restraint and Secured Seclusion on Students with Disabilities

Section 1003.57 (3)

(3) It is the intent of the Legislature that the least restrictive means of intervention be employed based on the needs of the individual student with disabilities. It is the policy of this state that the use of restraint and seclusion on students with disabilities is justified only as an emergency safety measure to be used in response to imminent danger to the students or others.

(a) Restraint and secured seclusion are interventions that are potentially physically and psychologically dangerous to students and school personnel. Students with disabilities are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of restraint and secured seclusion. For these reasons, restraint should be used only in emergency situations (where) in which there are no less intrusive alternative strategies, and secured seclusion should not be permitted under any circumstances.

(b) Definitions

1. “Restraint” refers to any manual method or physical or mechanical device, material, or equipment attached to or adjacent to the student’s body that the student cannot easily remove and that restricts freedom of movement or normal access to student’s body. This definition includes mechanical restraint with a device, manual or physical restraint, and use of medication to manage the student’s behavior that is not a standard treatment for the student’s condition.

2. “Secured Seclusion” refers to the removal of a student from the educational environment or activity and involuntary confinement of the student in a room or an area from which the student is physically prevented from leaving. Actual physical contact is not necessary; a show of authority or a threat of force or consequences is sufficient. “Secured Seclusion” does not include the use of brief “time-out” interventions.

3. “Time-out” refers to a period of time in which the student is placed in a less reinforcing environment as the result of displaying a well-defined and articulated behavior. It is not synonymous with extended periods of seclusion. With some students, time-out may have no effect on their behavior and could actually reinforce the targeted behavior. Time-out should never be used as a punishment or a negative consequence of a child’s behavior. It is never appropriate for instructional staff to threaten a child with the use of time-out.

(c) Restraint

1. Use of restraint shall be limited to those emergency situations where there is a demonstrable, imminent and ongoing risk of significant physical danger to self or others.

2. Restraint shall never be permissible as a behavioral intervention.

3. Restraint shall never be permissible solely for property damage, unless the behavior otherwise qualifies under (c)(1) above.

4. Restraint shall never be permissible as a response to a behavior(s) that has already taken place unless the behavior otherwise qualifies under (c)(1) above.

5. All school personnel interacting with students with disabilities shall receive initial training and periodic refreshers in district approved emergency procedures for safe restraint of students. Such procedures shall be reported to the (Your state DOE) Department of Education through the district’s Special Policies and Procedures Manual.

6. Prone restraints shall always be prohibited.

7. Any student with a disability being restrained shall be medically evaluated by a physician, nurse or other qualified medical personnel as soon as possible following the incident.

(d) Seclusion

1. Use of secured seclusion shall be prohibited for students with disabilities under any circumstances.

(e) Time-out

1. Time-out will be permitted under the following circumstances: 1) It is part of a behavior intervention plan (BIP) developed for that student from a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) and documented on that student’s individual education plan (IEP); 2) It is preceded by other interventions utilizing positive behavioral supports and only used if those interventions, which must be documented, are not effective; 3) It takes place in the classroom or other environment where the class educational activities are taking place; 4) The child is never physically prevented from leaving the time-out area; 5) The child is constantly observable by an adult; 6) The time-out area and process must be free of anything that would be likely to embarrass or humiliate the child; 7) The time-out ends immediately when the child is calm enough to return to his/her seat, but in no event exceeds one minute for each year of the child’s age (i.e. - a five-year-old child cannot be in time-out longer than five-minutes at any one time).


(f) Reporting Requirements

1. Each incident of restraint shall be followed up by a written report within 24 hours from the time the restraint ended. If the restraint occurred on a day preceding a weekend day or school holiday, or if school is closed for any reason on the succeeding day, the report shall be completed by the end of the next school day.

2. Each incident report shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 1) Name or initials of the student; 2) Date and time of incident, including duration; 3) Type of restraint used; 4) Location of incident; 5) Names and job titles of all staff involved in the incident; 6) Names and job titles of all staff observing the incident; 7) Names or initials of all students observing the incident; 8) A specific description of the behavior that resulted in the restraint; 9) A statement of how the determination was made that the criteria in (2) above were satisfied; 10) A description of all interventions (if any) that were attempted prior to the restraint; 11) A copy of the report of the physical assessment required by (c)(7) above, and 12) Date of the most recent Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP), and a copy of the current BIP.

(g) Notification Requirements

1. The parent or guardian of a student with a disability who has been restrained shall be contacted by telephone as soon as practically possible, but in no case longer than one hour from the time the restraint ended.

2. If school personnel are unable to reach the parent or guardian they shall document all attempts including the name of the individual(s) calling, the time of the call(s) and the number(s) called.

3.. A copy of the incident report required in (f)(1) above shall be provided to the parent or guardian as soon as possible but in any event no later than 24 hours from the time the restraint ended. The school shall obtain the parent’s signed acknowledgement that he or she was notified and shall retain such acknowledgement on file. If the restraint occurred on a day preceding a weekend day or school holiday, or if school is closed for any reason on the succeeding day, the parent or guardian shall be provided the report by the end of the next school day.

4. A copy of the incident report shall be provided to the (Your State DOE) Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (FLDOE – BEESS).

5. A copy of the incident report shall be provided to the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc., the protection and advocacy system for the State of (Your state).

(h) Oversight

1. A copy of the incident report (with student names redacted) shall be provided to a community review group consisting of parents and school personnel. Such group shall be formed specifically in each county for the purpose of conducting timely reviews of each use of restraints in that county’s schools. School districts will cooperate with parents of students with disabilities in setting up and participating in community review groups. At least half of the members of any such group shall be parents of students with disabilities.

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