SPOTLIGHT: Mentally-ill children being restrained in the classroom

Increasingly, children with mild forms of mental retardation and mental illness are being "mainstreamed" into classrooms serving children without disabilities. In theory, that's a good thing, but it does impose extra stresses on teachers when the children act out. Now, researchers are discovering that increasingly, teachers are using sometimes drastic forms of restraint, including takedowns, periods in seclusion and restraints--without the oversight imposed by other institutions using such techniques, such as psychiatric facilities and nursing homes. Lately, some parents are saying that these methods are being used far too often, and even rise to the level of abuse. Article

Post a comment