Reprinted with permission from: Special Ed Connection®. © 2020 LRP Publications, 360 Hiatt Drive, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418. All rights reserved.
Students with behavioral issues may become agitated more easily upon the return to classrooms because of all the changes to their routine and school building. They may more quickly get to the point of needing to be restrained for their safety or the safety of their classmates. But the idea of staff getting that close to a student, even while wearing personal protective equipment, may make families and staff uneasy as the novel coronavirus outbreak continues.
“The precautions schools will have to take because of COVID-19 are definitely going to complicate things, without a doubt,” said Christine Sullivan, a school attorney at Berchem Moses PC in Milford, Conn. “More caution will need to be exercised in getting to that level even if the student is acting out.”
Ensuring staff is trained on de-escalation strategies to prevent the need for restraint and seclusion will be critical, Sullivan said.
Click here to read the entire article published on August 21, 2020, in Special Ed Connection, and learn about additional steps to ensure student and staff safety.