LISD Special Education - Seclusion and Restraint

The use of emergency seclusion and restraint interventions is dangerous and can lead to significant trauma and injuries to students, teachers, and staff.

Seclusion or restraint may only be used in emergency situations when other interventions have failed and there is great risk to the safety and well-being of the student or others. It cannot be used for staff convenience, as a form of discipline or punishment, or as a substitute for something less limiting or restrictive. Emergency seclusion may never be used for preschool students or students who have self-injurious or suicidal behavior.

LISD Policies and Guidance

Form A - Documentation Form

Form B - Notification Letter to Parent/Guardian

Form C - Debriefing Form

Form D - Parent Invite to PBSP Meeting

Form E - LISD Functional Behavior Assessment Template

Form F - Consent to Release

Form G - PBSP/BIP Sample

Form H - Emergency Intervention Plan

LISD Training - Policy for the Use of Emergency Seclusion and Restraint

MDE Policies and Guidance

US Dept of Education

“Seclusion” is the confinement of a student to a room or other space from which the pupil is physically prevented from leaving.

Key Definitions

"Restraint" is a physical action that prevents or significantly restricts a student's movement.

OCR defines physical restraint as a "personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a student to move their torso, arms, legs, or head freely. This term does not include a physical escort. A physical escort means temporary touching or holding of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, or back for the purpose of inducing an escalated student to walk to a safe location."

The State of Michigan adopted a set of policies and procedures regarding the use of seclusion and restraint in the public schools to achieve the following objectives:

Promotes the care, safety, welfare, and security of the school community and the dignity of each pupil.
Encourages the use of proactive, effective, evidence-based- and research-based strategies and best practices to reduce the occurrence of challenging behaviors, eliminate the use of seclusion and restraint, and increase meaningful instructional time for all pupils.
Ensures that seclusion and physical restraint are used only as a last resort in an emergency situation and are subject to diligent assessment, monitoring, documentation, and reporting by trained personnel.
Clearly defines the terms “seclusion,” “restraint,” “emergency seclusion,” and “emergency physical restraint,” and clearly states the procedures for the use of emergency seclusion and emergency physical restraint.