IACC Meeting on Restraint and Seclusion For Autism Thursday
(Note: That's Jawara Henry's family. He was killed as staff tried to give him medicine. They "restrained" him to death while trying to dispense meds. HERE.)
Reminder: Joint Meeting of Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) Subcommittee on Safety and IACC Services Subcommittee
Please join us for a in-person joint meeting of the IACC Subcommittee on Safety and the IACC Services Subcommittee to discuss issues related to seclusion and restraint and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The meeting will take place on Thursday, May 19, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. The meeting will also be available for public access by conference call and live webcast.
Conference Call Access
USA/Canada Phone Number: 888-577-8995
Access code: 1991506
Webcast: http://videocast.nih.gov
Meeting location:
Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center
5701 Marinelli Road
Bethesda, MD 20852
The meeting will be open to the public and pre-registration is recommended. Seating will be limited to the room capacity and seats will be on a first come, first served basis, with expedited check-in for those who are pre-registered.
The meeting will also be accessible by conference call and live webcast. Members of the public who participate using the conference call phone number will be able to listen to the meeting, but will not be heard.
If you experience any technical problems with the conference call or webcast, please e-mail [email protected] or call the IACC Technical Support Help Line at 443-680-0098.
Please visit the IACC Events page for the latest information about the meeting, including registration, remote access information, the agenda and information about other upcoming IACC events.
This makes me sick, we need to figure out how to heal the amygdala and temporal lobe epilepsy, that's where this behavior is coming from. I know, because mine is affected, and he's psychotic and strong as hell when the violent aggression happens. It is both predatory and defensive, there are several studies on it. Some call it "Intermittent Explosive Disorder"...whatever you want to call it, it's common, it's coming to a theater near you, watch out people. In my most humblest opinion, the people restraining these children/young adults are likely defending themselves, not intentionally man-handling them. AND let's not forget, the caregivers need either a part time schedule with these violent children OR respite for themselves!
Posted by: Anonymom | May 19, 2011 at 07:43 PM
Australia
In February I witnessed my 9 yr old, non-verbal son being restrained by his carer. I was devastated by her lack of compassion when he was trying to struggle and worm his way out of her clutches.
She had his arms crossed over his chest and was practically strangling him. I tore him from her and ran out of the mainstream school in tears.
I have documented the incident and a clear photo of a small bruise left on his wrist.
It is now the month of May and I am still having discussions about "restraining" issues with the school. The school is still adamant that by Law this is considered an appropriate action.
He now has a new carer (since start of term-April) and has not needed to be restrained! Perhaps we should be examining the carers.
Elizabeth - AussieMum
Posted by: AussieMum | May 19, 2011 at 12:35 AM
So agree Phyllis! Something has got to be done to protect our children from the abuse of seclusion and restraint. I really hope there are parents at this meeting who will testify as to what is really happening in schools. This is such a huge issue. Parents often don't even know it is happening until it is too late. :-( Unfortunately, many state laws allow schools to legally restrain and seclude children against their will as if they are animals. The current situation is unacceptable.
Posted by: Kym Grosso | May 18, 2011 at 12:25 PM
There are many families from all over the United States who have children with disabilities that are being prone restrained, tied and strapped to rifton type chairs, forced into locked and unlocked seclusion rooms and closets in the public school system because of behaviors that are part of their disabilities. Many of our children have little or no communication and the only way they can communicate is through behaviors. The trauma this has caused so many children and the emotional drain to families should never happen to any child or family.
Because parents have not been able to get help on this very serious subject, the parent guide "Shouldn't School Be Safe?" was developed by parents and for parents to help guide parents in ways to keep their children safe from restraint, seclusion and other aversive practices.
Please click on the link below to read "Shouldn't School Be Safe?" and pass this information on to all families of children with disabilities in the public school system. LEARN WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP STOP THESE AVERSIVE PRACTICES FROM HAPPENING TO YOUR CHILD.
Shouldn't School Be Safe? http://tash.org/shouldnt-school-be-safe/
Regards,
Phyllis Musumeci
Families Against Restraint and Seclusion
http://familiesagainstrestraintandseclusion.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Phyllis Musumeci | May 18, 2011 at 10:57 AM