By Kittredge, Betsy Miller on December 9, 2009 11:30 AM Protecting All Children in School
Every child should be safe and protected while in school. But a recent investigation by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found hundreds of allegations that children have been abused, and some even died, as a result of misuses of restraint and seclusion in public and private schools, often at the hands of untrained staff. Many of these interventions were used disproportionately on some of our most vulnerable students -- children with disabilities. Unlike in hospitals and other facilities that receive federal funding, there are no federal laws that address how and when restraint or seclusion can be used in schools. State regulations and oversight vary greatly and have often failed to protect children. It is also impossible to determine the full extent to which these interventions are used because there is currently no consistent reporting of data.
The Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247) is the first national effort to address this problem and ensure the safety of everyone involved – both students and school staff. Specifically the legislation would: Prevent and reduce inappropriate restraint and seclusion by establishing minimum safety standards in schools, similar to protections already in place in hospitals and non-medical community-based facilities
* Allow physical restraint or locked seclusion only when there is imminent danger of injury, and only when imposed by trained staff; * Prohibit the use of any mechanical restraint, such as strapping children to chairs, misusing therapeutic equipment to punish students, or duct-taping parts of their bodies; * Prohibit chemical restraint, meaning medications used to control behavior that are not administered consistent with a physician’s prescription; * Prohibit any restraint that restricts breathing; * Prohibit aversive behavioral interventions that compromise health and safety, such as denying students water, food, or clothing, denying access to toilet facilities, or using noxious stimuli such as pepper spray in order to control behavior; * Prohibit schools from including restraint or seclusion as planned interventions in student’s education plans, including Individualized Education Programs (IEPs); and * Require schools to notify parents after incidents when restraint or seclusion was used.
Require states to do their part to keep children and staff safe in school
* Within two years of the establishment of federal standards, each state must have its own policies, procedures, monitoring and enforcement systems in place to meet the minimum standards.
Ask states to provide support and training to better protect students and staff and prevent the need for emergency behavioral interventions
* Improve the culture and climate of the schools by providing grants to states to help provide professional development, training and positive behavior support programs; * Encourage schools to have procedures established in school safety plans to keep both students and personnel safe when student behavior poses an imminent danger; and * Ask states to ensure that enough school staff are trained to keep students and staff safe, but gives states and local districts the flexibility to determine the training needs at each school.
Increase transparency, oversight and enforcement to prevent future abuse
* Require states to collect and report data annually to the Secretary of Education; * Make data about restraint and seclusion publicly available, including data on the number of incidents, injuries, cases of death, and cases involving untrained staff; and * Provide the Secretary of Education the authority to withhold federal funds from states who do not establish policies and procedures consistent with the minimum standards.
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Re: Med Change « Result #6 on Dec 10, 2009, 2:24am »
I wonder what the cycling like that is all about. I would have thought the meds would level him out all the time. I'll be praying that its something that needs to build up in his system and then you will see his behavior more even.
Re: Med Change « Result #7 on Dec 9, 2009, 10:28pm »
Sorry you're going through this Anon. We have been pretty fortunate so far with Sean's meds. The Abilify and Trileptal are still working out for him. That's certainly not to say that things are going great around here... But the meds have done wonders for the most concerning issues-the self injuring, insomnia, crying that lasted for hours, gruesome nightmares, and violence toward others. He is also able to focus much better in school. The disrespect however has been out of control lately. I hope you get his meds all straightened out quickly and that he gets back on track. Rant away-that's what were here for!
So DS started to deterioate last month. Just falling back on his self harm, violent obessesional thoughts, wanting to run away, literally crying over spilt milk all day, getting physical with kids in class, throwing books around, disrespecting teachers...stuff we dealt with all his childhood.
So I brought him to the dr. We're going to check his lithium levels to make sure they didn't drop below therapuetic but we just tested about 2 months ago, so we highly doubt that is it. I talked to the doctor about increasing his abilify or zoloft, but he said "that might work, but in another 10 months, we'll just have to do it again." So he took him off, and started him on prozac and seroquel.
Well, the first morning he started the prozac, there was a huge difference. He actually started to "over-compensate" his behavior. For instance, we're working on him talking to dad more. So he started talking his ear off, and inserting himself in adult conversations. I was worried the prozac pushed him into a manic state.
That night we started the seroquel, and it made him drowsy and he went right to sleep. So that was good news too. And after a few days we started the seroquel in the AM too. It looks like the seroquel is balancing the prozac a little. I may be way off base there, but that's just my opinion.
He's still cycling about every 4 days though - hitting a big depression. It's like he'll have 3 great days and we try to keep him flying off the positive experiences, but the 4th day he crashes. Can't handle anything, and then back to "normal" after some sleep. I just don't know what to do with him on that 4th day. Yesterday was one of those days, and he said he was sticking a pencil in his hand so it would come out the other side of his skin during school, and he started screaming bloody murder when dad asked him to lock the back door.
I feel like, ok, I'll take 1 out of 4 days instead of 24/7. But still, that one day just kills me. And it gets the family's nerves up and it takes us a few days to relax, and it's right back on again.
Well, I've ranted on enough. I have to get to work. I've been stalling for like an hour now.
I read just recently in a health magazine that ALL electronics (including TV & computer) should be turned off at least an hour before bed. The article said that the light even from these things hindered the production of natural melatonin in some people, causing insomnia. They said soft music, reading with just a reading lamp on, no over head lights. Those things helped.
I read the same thing.
Here's a website that offers 5 natural remedies - maybe go full on and try all 5!
Joined: Jan 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 1,617 Location: butte montana
Re: What is the King's Name ? « Result #15 on Dec 7, 2009, 9:11am »
I have no clue!!!! It is way to early in the morning to even think of an answer but I will think about it all day and I will try to come home with an answer ok But it wont be tell later on tonight. I get off at 8 mountain time so we will have to see what I come up with ok
We talked to him and got a bunch of "I dont knows" and "I forgets." These are his standard answers for EVERYTHING in life. I called the school counselor and asked her to talk to him about it. She got back to me and said she got basically the same information out of him. We talked to him about how dangerous it is to mix cleaning chemicals and that something really bad could have happened even if he didnt mean for it to. Honestly I dont know what his intentions were-if it was harmless play or what. He needs more supervision over there I do know that.
Joined: Jan 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 1,617 Location: butte montana
UPDATE: on vyvanse and my boy!! « Result #22 on Dec 6, 2009, 10:35am »
Ok I have an amazing update for you all on Adam and his problem we have with him at school. Well we got Adam to take his meds with yogurt. and within 45 minutes he is a different little boy. The school was amazed. The other day he brought home his report card. and I was shocked. there is these reading tests that the kids take and Adam normally scores a 0 on all of them because they cant get him to do them. Well adam brought the score sheet home the other day and he did them all and everyone 1 of them were 100 except for 1 which was an 80 I am so proud of him. The school wont be sending him to a behavior school. They will be keeping him. I love this med. I hope it continues to work for him. we even put it on my older son and it has worked for him to. it is such a nice thing to be able to enjoy my boys again and not have to deal with all the other crap
Joined: Feb 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 1,632 Location: Buffalo, NY
Re: Nette's conference yesterday « Result #24 on Dec 5, 2009, 7:52pm »
My husband is a custodian in our school district and got chummy with the teachers, CSE people (same building), and the Boys and girls club anyways he pulled strings and our girl will be leaving her after school childcare for the boys and girls club in the middle school. She will be with kids a year older than her and the workers want to meet her and adore her father starting after next week. The Director and he spoke about helping her to bridge friendships and work with her. Nette is terrified so I am going to get out of work early to take her to meet everyone. The best part she would be going to work with daddy and he will be in the building in case she needs him and get this the cost is FREE. I will be saving $66 per week.
Joined: Feb 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 1,632 Location: Buffalo, NY
Re: Teaching Independence « Result #26 on Dec 5, 2009, 7:43pm »
I have nothing to offer Nette does the same and it has become part of my habit to constantly tell her and her father (LoL) what to do to keep things going smoothly.
Re: Nette's conference yesterday « Result #32 on Dec 4, 2009, 10:46am »
Sounds like her teacher is very kind. That's great! I would try to take one day at a time and try not to get too anxious over the future. Keep your heart open and you'll find a solution.
Hopefully the kids will start to mature a little. You might find a few kind hearts out there that will even out the nasty little buggers.
I know in our school we had a group of kids with down syndrome and other severe mental disorders and our school promoted support for them. So we would give them high fives in the hall way and offer help during free study etc. Not everyone did it, but there was a larger group that did.
Make sure you read about your anti-bullying policy and be sure to let the authorities know you mean business. And maybe look up unique ways to make children aware and present your ideas to the school.
It reminds me of a class in one of our school systems here. It was a class the taught public speaking. It prepared them for interviews, how to shake hands, what your body language is telling other people, and how to handle stressful situations. I wonder if you could suggest a class about treating others kindly, and how to be a bigger person then your 'friends' etc. There has to be a program like that. I think I read something in a book about studies done on kids who take a course like that.
Joined: Feb 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 1,632 Location: Buffalo, NY
Nette's conference yesterday « Result #33 on Dec 4, 2009, 7:37am »
I was told she is doing good in school and that she can do better in some areas if she applied herself more, writing still a struggle. The teacher also shared with me concern for Annette in her peer relations especially that middle school is next year that she can see the kids not being nice to her not understanding her. She told me she nips stuff immediately but can see it and I did share with her about the bullies in the neighborhood. I want to cry and had difficulty sleeping for my girl is so sweet and loving I do not want school to be a nightmare for her.
I spoke to the school Social Worker afterward for she does weekly social groups with my girl and other kids and when my girl has an issue she loves going to her. I was given a number for free counseling in our school district to help address personal stuff and the socialization stuff. Annette is now on their wait list and I have to wait 1-2 weeks for a call when she can start. The other problem we face is she is very immature for her age and her after school childcare does not help when she is the only 10 year old there with 4-5 year olds. Will my anxiety ever relax I am terrified for my girl last night I just held her while we snuggled and kept her close to me and my heart as it ached inside.
Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.[ss:Blue on Blue]
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Re: What when Melitonin does not work « Result #34 on Dec 1, 2009, 10:35am »
I read just recently in a health magazine that ALL electronics (including TV & computer) should be turned off at least an hour before bed. The article said that the light even from these things hindered the production of natural melatonin in some people, causing insomnia. They said soft music, reading with just a reading lamp on, no over head lights. Those things helped.
Joined: Feb 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 1,632 Location: Buffalo, NY
Re: What when Melitonin does not work « Result #35 on Dec 1, 2009, 7:11am »
I let her stay up to 10pm and gave her the Benedryl last night and same deal it took 2 hours to work, she was up to 11:30 pm. I gave it to her at 9 pm. I will try again tonight for Benedryl may not be working either. I do a routine at bedtime and we give her Camamile tea with splenda to "calm" her she gets the TV for an hour (timer on it) and her music low. Part of the problem may be the webzinz in the computer she is obsessed so I tell her off 1 hour before bed to help.
Re: What when Melitonin does not work « Result #37 on Nov 30, 2009, 8:07pm »
Melatonin did not really help Sean sleep at all. He used to take Atarax which is a prescription antihistimine similar to Benadryl. This worked great and was a huge help! It is not as "harsh" of a drug as the Clonidine I would think.
Joined: Jan 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 8,946 Location: On the Mo in the big "O"
Re: What when Melitonin does not work « Result #38 on Nov 30, 2009, 11:11am »
The only things I can think of is the traditional things. Soothing music playing in the background while she lays in bed. A cup of warm milk or sleepy-time tea. Maybe rubbing her back to get her relaxed. Doing quiet things before bed time so she can slow down. A warm bath before bed.
Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.[ss:Blue on Blue]
Joined: Jan 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 12,305
Re: What when Melitonin does not work « Result #39 on Nov 30, 2009, 9:10am »
I feel the same way as you about the clonidine. Shannon took it in the beginning but not for long as I wasn't very comfortable with it. Shannon had the exact same problem with the melatonin. Thats one of the reasons she's in cyber school now--she can stay up late & get up later as she can start school at any time of the day. Benedryl works for Shannon but she refuses to take it because it makes her so groggy in the morning. I thought it was the perfect choice since she does have allergies. I just cut out her other allergy med & used the Benedryl to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. I wish I had some other ideas for you, but all I've found that works so far is just to let her body follow its natural rhythm & that won't work for Annette since she has to be up early.
Joined: Feb 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 1,632 Location: Buffalo, NY
What when Melitonin does not work « Result #40 on Nov 30, 2009, 7:27am »
Anymore. Is there anything else besides Benydrl? The melotonin worked great for over a year and we did not use it on a regular basis we used it as the as needed basis. We can go weeks with nothing and some weeks needed it 2-3x now it has lost complete effectiveness. My child was up to 1:30 am and we were afraid to give her Benedryl due to Melotonin already in her system. Lately her being up late has gotten later used to be she would drop by 11 the latest now it is 1:30 and of course she wants to sleep in. The four day weekend did not help. Any other suggestions for If I talk to her doctor he will try to offer me Clonidine again which scares me for it is a BP med and with her being active would if she gets dizzy and gets hurt. I will be using Benedryl tonight if needed but I hate putting things into her body. We do have a Pediatrician appointment on Thursday and like I said prescription scares me less is best is my moto.
Joined: Feb 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 1,632 Location: Buffalo, NY
Re: The GOOD side of ADHD « Result #41 on Nov 30, 2009, 7:13am »
Through the research studies my girl was in she thinks that she was lucky because of ADHD to do the fun things and the chance to have met a few friends there that have the same thing.
Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.[ss:Blue on Blue]
Joined: Jan 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 12,305
Re: Teaching Independence « Result #42 on Nov 28, 2009, 7:56pm »
We used a dry erase board for several years. When Shannon needed to do things without constant reminders, I'd list the steps on a dry erase board & she's erase each step as she completed it. It took awhile, but eventually things became habit & she no longer needed to carry the board everywhere with her.
Re: Teaching Independence « Result #43 on Nov 28, 2009, 7:45pm »
I know this might sound like some work, but choose 3 to start with.
Then on One sheet use pictures/brief decription to describe the steps involved. Let the child draw/cut them them listing them 1, 2... . Then when he needs to do that particular thing, he can have his "sheet" with instructions to complete the task. Adjust as needed. Hopefully, this will help him remember what to do to complete tasks.
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