Isolating and Restraining a Child in Distress is Abusive

via Child in Mind:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Never leave a child alone during a meltdown

Controversy is brewing over the recent New York times op ed: A terrifying way to discipline children, in which Bill Lichtenstein describes his five-year-old daughter being held in a seclusion room at a Lexington school when her behavior was out of control. A Globe headline asserts in response: Account of putting pupil in isolation disputed. Of course I do not know what actually happened. However, I do know that a very commonly held belief among parents is that one should leave a child alone, or "ignore" him, when he is having a meltdown. Yet all of the best of developmental science tell us that this approach is completely wrong. read here

via New York Times SundayReview OPINION

By BILL LICHTENSTEIN
Published: September 8, 2012

A Terrifying Way to Discipline Children

an excerpt:

"Joseph Ryan, an expert on the use of restraints who teaches at Clemson University, told me that the practice of isolating and restraining problematic children originated in schools for children with special needs. It migrated to public schools in the 1970s as federal laws mainstreamed special education students, but without the necessary oversight or staff training. “It’s a quick way to respond but it’s not effective in changing behaviors,” he said." (emphasis mine) read here

I so agree!  It is cruel and emotionally damaging--it seems to me that using isolation and/or restraints are used for the adult's "benefit." It's not easy dealing with a kid who is 'acting out,' emotionally overwhelmed and/or behaviorally disturbed.  Behaviors serve a purpose; the purpose is invariably an attempt to have a real or an imagined need met. In the case of an imagined need, remember, it is a real need to a child; who is still learning how to identify what needs are...

Children do not develop emotional and behavioral difficulties in a vacuum.  Isolating and/or restraining children may be quicker; but restraint and seclusion are methods are not used for a child's benefit, but for an adult's convenience. In effect, it is choosing to be emotionally and physically abusive; in order to gain control of a child. As adults, we need to be helping children learn how to express themselves (by example); teach them respect by respecting them; and show them how important they are by investing the time it takes to teach them how to control themselves.  

Trauma, Brain and Relationship: Helping Children Heal via Beyond Meds

National Traumatic Stress Network 

Trauma Can Cause Symptoms of Mental Illness via Involuntary Transformation

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma
Editorial, Charles L. Whitfield   American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4):361-364, May,1998.

Take Action for Children by supporting Legislation Restraint and Seclusion: Support Legislation to Protect Children

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