This story from Utah covers one of the biggest scandals which I see in my law practice: the improper, excessive and sometimes illegal use of seclusion rooms for students with disabilities. There are specific legal guidelines which apply to the use of seclusion rooms in our schools, including the criteria for seclusion, limits on its use, debriefing and reporting requirements.
Most people who work in special education consider it a “calling,” and are good, dedicated and caring individuals who want to help kids with disabilities.
Unfortunately, some school employees confine these children alone in small rooms, which are usually unfurnished closets or storage rooms which have been converted for that purpose. This may be the result of improper training. Or impatience. Or frustration. In some cases, children are placed in seclusion as a form of punishment; in others, out of convenience. Both are unacceptable.
I’ve represented children who have been secluded multiple times per day (sometimes for hours at a time), denied access to a restroom, forced to sit quietly until a timer went off and allowed to yell, cry, kick, scream, bite themselves and bang their head on the wall while staff stood outside and watched. This type of abuse not only causes the child to suffer psychological trauma, but violates his or her civil rights.
Opponents want a timeout on forcing kids into padded rooms in Utah schoolshttps://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/opponents-want-a-timeout-on-forcing-kids-into-padded-rooms-in-utah-schools
The little gray rooms are about the size of a Porta Potty, with a padded interior, a metal latch and a small window on the door.