During this semester, I was fortunate enough to attend a restraint and seclusion panel held on zoom by UNE. At this panel, there were several experts in the field discussing Maine’s problematic history with restraints and seclusions. The statistics, PowerPoints, and conversations were truly a pleasure to witness. What really stuck with me was the thought that Maine is grossly underreporting their restraints and seclusions yet is STILL the state with the highest rates of restraints and seclusions.
While I am a general educator, I can still confidently say I have never felt the need to restrain or seclude a child no matter how challenging the behaviors I see are. I think the panel did a superb job at emphasizing the point that this is an outdated and inhumane practice which should be done away with. While I never saw the benefit to begin with, it is also important to remember that these practices are traumatizing and ultimately does more harm than good. While I am just an intern, if I were to see these practices taking place, I would do my best to politely bring these points up to the educator perpetrating these practices and attempt to reeducate them.
