Seclusion and Restraint
In Michigan, the law states that a teacher cannot place his or her hands on a student unless the student is likely to cause harm to another student, the teacher, or in some extreme cases, property. Physical restraint occurs when an adult uses direct physical contact in order to prevent or restrict the movement of a student. Physical restraint should never be used as the first solution to a crisis, but instead as a last resort. The student should only be restrained for as long as it takes for him or her to regain control of his or her actions, and the restraint time should not exceed 10 minutes. It is also very important that the restraint procedure does not cause physical distress for the student. If the teacher can see that the student is struggling with breathing the student should be released from the restraint immediately.
It may also be necessary to seclude a student from the classroom in order to allow him or her to calm down and to restore order. Seclusion takes place when the child is confined in a secure room, and is then prevented from leaving the space. Seclusion, like restraint, should be a last resort. The student must be monitored for the entire period of time in seclusion, and the period of time in seclusion should not exceed 15 minutes for elementary school, or 20 minutes for middle and high school students.
Each incidence of seclusion or restraint must be documented in detail. The law requires that parents be notified as soon as possible that the seclusion or restraint has taken place, and they must receive written documentation within 24 hours of the incident. If a pattern develops in which the student is being repeatedly placed in seclusion or restraint, the school is required to look further into the problems that are leading to these incidents.
If you would like to learn more about seclusion and restraint, please feel free to visit the website and PDF file below:
http://www.pbis.org/seclusion/restraint/default.aspx
It may also be necessary to seclude a student from the classroom in order to allow him or her to calm down and to restore order. Seclusion takes place when the child is confined in a secure room, and is then prevented from leaving the space. Seclusion, like restraint, should be a last resort. The student must be monitored for the entire period of time in seclusion, and the period of time in seclusion should not exceed 15 minutes for elementary school, or 20 minutes for middle and high school students.
Each incidence of seclusion or restraint must be documented in detail. The law requires that parents be notified as soon as possible that the seclusion or restraint has taken place, and they must receive written documentation within 24 hours of the incident. If a pattern develops in which the student is being repeatedly placed in seclusion or restraint, the school is required to look further into the problems that are leading to these incidents.
If you would like to learn more about seclusion and restraint, please feel free to visit the website and PDF file below:
http://www.pbis.org/seclusion/restraint/default.aspx
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