Improper Restraint Leads to Death of a Child with Autism

In upstate New York a child with autism died while being restrained during transport. The staff in charge of the child drove around and did not seek medical help for an extended period. As a result of these actions and omissions, manslaughter charges have been filed.

The tragedy of this case once again highlights several pervasive issues:

• staff needs restraint training, and needs to have it reinforced over and over again;
• the police and state's attorneys need to take seriously charges of physical abuse short of death, and that do not involve sexual misconduct, as there were previous allegations of physical abuse;
• norms of behavioral intervention and planning need to be codified in IDEA and regulations;
• we need to take every opportunity to reinforce the humanity and sanctity of people with disabilities, so that we will no longer see this level of indifference;
• use of aversives and other forms of painful behavioral intervention need to be made illegal at the Federal level;
• systematic positive behavioral intervention needs to be taught and reinforced at all levels of administrative, teacher, and staff training.

Without such positive steps and more, such tragedies are not a question of whether but of when.

Comments

[mcewen]

Is it any wonder that so many parents of autistic children choose to home school them.
Best wishes

[Shannon Munford M.A.]

Anaheim, California

Police confiscated a video clip of a caretaker slapping two mentally challenged men at a vocational rehabilataiton center.

The caretaker was arrested for investigation of felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor dependent abuse.

I understand caring for special ed children can be physically and emotionally stressful.

As caregivers, behavior management technicians, vocational trainers, respite care providers can express their frustration in verbal and sometimes physical aggression.

Often parents of children with developmental delays may have problems managing their anger due to exhaustion, fear and guilt.

Anger management classes are effective as they focus on stress management, emotional intelligence and communication.

Anger Management classes also provide a support system for those caring for family with challenging behavior.

Business owners who employ staff to care for mentally challenged consumers may find it in there best interest to require employee to particpate in anger management classes.

Shannon Munford
http://www.daybreakservices.com

[Michele]

I think that there are many people not properly trained in its use. Then they use it as a quick fix!