In recent months, more attention has been paid in the media to abusive practices in special education classrooms. Kids with autism are especially vulnerable, since they are relatively likely to tantrum or display aggressive behaviors, and relatively unlikely to communicate with their parents about abusive treatment.
Disabilityscoop, a blog which reports on topics related to all sorts of disabilities, urges parents to be alert and aware of their rights:
Relatively few protections are in place in most states and consideration of the pending federal legislation will take time. That means parents and students themselves must be on the watch, says Curt Decker, executive director of the National Disability Rights Network, which issued the initial report last January and is currently preparing a follow up report.
The blog also includes a number of links to useful resources and additional information for parents concerned about possible abuses in the schools.
Have you dealt with restraint and/or seclusion in your public school district? If so, and if you have advice to share with other parents, please share your insights here. Or, to create a permanent, searchable document to be included on this site, share your experience and advice here.
