The GAO has issued a sixty-two page report concerning the allegations of abusive use of restraints and seclusion. You can read the whole report here. There is also a one page summary available here. The widespread nature of the abuse of these techniques and the high incidence of injury and death of children with disabilities is very, very disturbing! This is a tough report to read, but the topic is obviously important.
The U. S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor held a hearing on the issue today. Here is the Committee's report on the issue. Representative Miller, the Chairman of the committee, referred to the testimony at the hearing and the GAO report as "very sad, very tragic," and he suggested that legislation might be needed to correct the widespread problem. Here is a news account. Here is a television news account.
I have heard from some educators that restraints are necessary sometimes to protect children with disabilities or other people, but most argue that such techniques should be used only as a last resort. I believe that training concerning these techniques and at least some limitations upon the more deadly methods will now be mandated by federal law. How do you folks feel about this topic?
