Collection of Special Education Links

Restraints

Regulations, Policies, Forms and Laws

MA Regulations on Restraints
Link to Physical Restraint Report form
PPT done by DOE on restraints
Review of laws and regulations in all 50 states
NPS Policy on Restraint see Section VIII
Review of pending law on restraints in Congress
Disability Scoop Web sites review of Restraint legislation in Congress
Positive Behavioral Support Seclusion and Restraint Policy
Info on pending legislation and links to research
Congressional Research Office report on laws regarding restraints

Alternatives, Training and Ways to Reduce Restraints

Information on the six main things a program or school can do to reduce restraint. 6 strategies template
Crisis Prevention Institute (restraint and non-violent de-escalation training): http://www.crisisprevention.com/home
Article on how restraints were ended at Bellevue Hospital
Report on Restraint Reduction Ideas for Parents by Tash.org
More resources needing registration I have a copy of this paper which I can share if you send me an e-mail or leave a note here: A Review of Crisis Intervention Training Programs for Schools The authors investigated 13 crisis intervention training programs and provide a comparison of the emphasis placed on certain topics, course content, duration, and type of instruction.

Postive Behavioral Supports

The primary way to reduce restraints in a school or district is to implement positive behavioral intervention and support (PBIS or PBS) AKA School Wide Positive Behavioral Support (SWPBS).

See: http://www.pbis.org/

Functional Behavioral Analysis

The primary way to change problem behavior of a child which may lead to a restraint is called Functional Behavioral Analysis/Assessment (FBA). See: http://www.polyxo.com/fba/ and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Functional_analysis_(psychology)

FBA is usually considered part of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applied_behavior_analysis, an intervention or strategy most commonly used to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

An FBA typical results in a behavior intervention plan or behavior support plan. See: http://specialchildren.about.com/od/behavioranddiscipline/g/BIP.htm

There is significant controversy about whether restraint should be included in BIPs or IEPs. IMHO restraint should not be part of either.

Reports

Investigation and story about restraints in Lynn from Disabilities Law Center
Keeping Schools Safe for Everyone, report from Oregon
2009 GAO report on SECLUSIONS AND RESTRAINTS Selected Cases of Death and Abuse at Public and Private Schools and Treatment Centers
School is Not Supposed to Hurt report by National Disabilities Rights Network
A report on restraint, seclusion and aversive procedures one year after the passage of the Keeping All Students Safe Act in the U.S. House of Representatives This bill was not passed by the Senate yet. This report includes many distrubng media stories.

Info on Mass Restraint Reduction Initiative

This is not the official web site and no representation is made as to the accuracy or source of this information. It's for informational purposes only. Please leave any questions or comments on the discussion section of this page. GS

Charter for MA DESE initiative on restraints 2009

Other references to the intiative:
DMH Gets Innovation Award for this initiative and another
Mention of Initiative in DCF Monthly Newsletter September 2010
Mention of data aspects in DCF Monthly Newsletter July, 2010
Mention of the survey and data in DCF Monthly Newsletter May, 2010
Mention of SAMSHA Award for restraint reduction, March 2010
Anouncement of initiative starting, February, 2010
Mention of initiative starting in year in review, January, 2010

Steering committee agenda from July, 2010

Older Initiative from 2000

Sub-Committee on Training and Support

Develops a training and technical support plan for providers and other stakeholders.
Develops a compendium of positive behavioral support practice literature.
Develops and promotes strategies for helping programs to involve and engage families.

Sub-Committee on Policy and Regulation

Reviews policies and regulations of Massachusetts and other states governing behavior management practices and protocols, and family engagement requirements.
Makes recommendations on revisions to existing Massachusetts policies and regulations.

Sub-Committee on Data Analysis and Reporting

Reviews current systems for collecting relevant data
Undertakes preliminary analysis of data and provides high level reports to the Steering Committee.
Makes recommendations on indicators/key measures to be collected, analyzed and reported.
Makes recommendations on periodicity of reports.