Positive handling and children within school?

Question

My son is 5yrs old and is currently having asessments for behavioural problems, Aspergers syndrome is a consideration. I have recently been informed that my son has had to be restrained at school on numerous occasions due to aggressive outbursts. The school use the Positive Handling Technique. They asked me to sign a consent form so that they could continue to restrain my son, as and when they needed. The school are happy to tell me what type of behaviour my son is displaying in order for them to restrain him, but they can not really tell me why my son's behaviour is becoming that extreem that they need to physically restrain him. I have told them i am not willing to sign the consent form untill we have had another meeting and I understand what is happening leading up to these incidents. The school have continued to use positive handling, yet have been unable to arrange a meeting and the special needs teacher is too busy to speak to me. What should I do?

Answer 1

You must be so stressed and worried, Having a child with aspergers myself I feel for you.

It's possible that your son has some sensory intergration issues. Google  'Sensory Intergration' If you haven't already heard about it.

Children act out for lots of reasons, but most often the system tries to change the child to fit the environment, rather than looking at the environment to see how it can best accomodate the child.

After all, isn't that what we mean when we say inclusive education?

Having said all that I don't like to judge and I try to believe all people are doing the best they can at the time.

Still, I don't think I'd sign anything that gives the school permission to physically restrain a child.

I wish you all the best...

Good luck

Answer 2

They have to think of the safety of those in the classroom-if your son is a hazard to staff or other children...or himself then they can restrain under "duty of care" (they have duty to use reason means to protect others around them). However the signature is useful as it shows a partnership between home and school.

Next step:

-go to school without an appointment and sit in the waiting area till someone comes to see you! Even if you have to threaten them with the dreaded OFSTED...

-contact local parent partnership (on council website) and they should be able to support you or speak to any of the speciliasts you feel comfortable talking to.

Answer 3

OMG! =0

somebody that could have asperger's should never treat him like that.

get tough on the school and start complaining that the school won't listen cause you the parent and teachers should have to see ya when you need to, and that's a fact, you tell 'em straight.

but think of the poor kid that doesn't know what he does is wrong,I have a asperger's too and I'm glad they didn't restrain me.

oh and if it gets worse the get a restraining order on the teacher or what ever.

14 year old aspie, got dionosed with AS back in last october at 13!

Answer 4

Wow. they've learned a technique and theyre gonna bloody well use it hey!? I think youre right not to sign the form until you fully understand the reasons for it. Maybe you could request to sit in on a class day, silently in the backgroound of course and see if you spot anything unusual about your son or the other kids or staff etc. Its wrong that the SN teacher hasnt even discussed it with you. have you spoken to the head teacher about it? Speak to your son's doctor and see what they have to say about it all. Maybe you should say, if youre not getting anywhere, that you'll either call the local newspaper (bit drastic i know) or else demand an assessment be done by an external assessor.

Answer 5

mmm i had a similar problem with my son.the school kept him in every break time because he was getting into bother in the playground.it always seemed to be his fault because he lashed out at other boys.they were never interested in why he was getting angry.then they excluded him from school.meanwhile he had an appointment with the child and adolescent mental health department to see if he had any problems.i took the decision to move him to another school because i didn't want him to be getting help and the same problems happening at his old school.he has been diagnosed with adhd and has settled into his new school brilliantly.he has come on leaps and bounds and hasn't had any bother.i think some schools are better than others to deal with situations.but you are right not to sign anything till you are 100% satisfied that your child will get the full support that he needs.take it to the highest authority possible.

Answer 6

Positive handling is used mostly in special schools within the UK. I have a daughter with Asperger syndrome and as she is getting older I am having more and more difficulty restraining her from harming herself and others. I recently went on a course to learn the techniques used in positive handling to use at home. I found the techniques very useful to use in times of a melt-down and have had to use them at home, all the techniques used in positive handling are safe and will not harm the child. However, you should definitely have a meeting with the head teacher and every one else involved with your son at school before you sign the consent form. You need to know why he requires these techniques and what is causing these extreme behaviours. You must demand to see the special needs teacher as no good teacher is ever too busy to see a concerned and worried parent who only has the child's welfare at heart. Demand to see all concerned at the school. Good luck.

Answer 7

The handling technique they are using is common and there is specific training for this technique, which I'm assuming they have received.  Children within the Austim Spectrum will sometimes display tantrums or other types of aggressive behaviors that seem to occur without any reason.  As you might already know, these children exhibit significant social impairments and can misinterpret the behaviors of others, which can cause an increase in frustration.  Acting out can be a way of coping with these frustrating situations.

Yes, it would be good to know if there is a common trend to when/where these behaviors occur.  The county should employ a behaivoral specialist (or school psychologist) that would be able to conduct a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA).  This brief assessment attempts to define why the behavior might be occurring so that an appropriate behavioral intervention plan can be put into place.  The psychological evaluation that he is currently receiving should also shed some light on why he is behaving this way and confirm or rule out other factors (i.e. Aspergers).  Since the teacher is too busy, contact a school administrator and request a meeting.

The Positive Handling Technique is an intervention designed to protect your child, other students, and staff members.  By not signing the consent form, you might be putting your child at risk for injuring himself or others.  I know that you are frustrated with the school, but it will ultimately be beneficial for you child if you sign that form.

Answer 8

SO many legal violations here!

THey are not wanting to tell you WHY he is doing these things because this will probably show it is THEIR FAULT!

It could be other kids are bullying him and they don't want you to know, it could be he has a hard time understanding his school work and this is how he expresses his frustration.

They don't want this to get out becuase they dont' want to help kids thru special education.

Is your child in special ed? Does he have an IEP plan?

You mention special ed teacher so I assume he does.

Write to the district special ed director and request an official IEP meeting. Date it and keep a copy for yourself. They will have 10-15 days to hold the meeting.

You HAVE to do EVERYTHING in writing, they will come back and say you never asked, plus they know they do NOT have to have a meeting if you do NOT ask for it IN WRITING, and they will NOT tell you this because they don't want a meeting to start with. If they did, they would have had one by now.

BEFORE you ask for a meeting, you need to 'get all your ducks' in a row so to speak. Here's a great message board with lots of people to help you with this --

http://millermom.proboards107.com/index....

You are right, do NOT sign this ! WHY are they continuing to do this restraining if you have NOT signed this? This HAS to stop immediately and you tell them so! They can NOT do this if you do not sign in agreement to it!

You were 'recently' informed of restraints on 'numerous' occasions? You need to write to the principal stating everything you know about this, and ask WHY were you not informed at the time these things happened??!!

And asked WHY they are doing these things WITHOUT your written agreement, and it must stop IMMEDIATELY!