Use of Restraints, Seclusion, and Aversive Procedures on Students with Disabilities

A survey of a convenience (nonrandom) sample of parents and guardians of children with disabilities was undertaken to document the use of restraints, seclusion, and aversive procedures. A 23-item questionnaire was presented to participants using SurveyMonkey, a Web-based program. Participants were informed of the survey by different advocacy organizations. Within a 2-week period, 1,300 individuals accessed the survey, and 1,293 answered the first question, which asked if their child had been subjected to restraints, seclusion, or aversive procedures; of the 1,293,837 (64.7%) said “yes.” Responses to other questions provided more detail about the nature of the procedures used and associated conditions. Among other findings, the results showed that children with disabilities were often exposed to restraints, seclusion, and aversive procedures; most of the time the parents had not approved of the procedures, and often, the procedures adversely affected the student.