Comments on: Saying No to Timeout Rooms

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:51:07 +0000

I don’t think timeout is or has to be brutal in and of itself—-for my autistic son, it’s not been a helpful means of addressing behaviors.

By: Just Me

Just Me — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:45:51 +0000

What can a teacher do when a child is out of control? Timeout is not brutal. If an adult is in the room and the child is not being restrained I see nothing wrong. No reason so many children our out of control these days. Parents would rather drug(excuse me medicate)their children than be parents. They make excuses for their behavior and how DARE anyone tell their child they can’t do something! So what if little Johnny is biting another child! As long as little Johnny feels good about himself.

By: Regan

Regan — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 01:05:23 +0000

U.S. Code, TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
> CHAPTER 144—DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ASSISTANCE AND BILL OF RIGHTS
> SUBCHAPTER I—PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
>Part A—General Provisions
> § 15009. Rights of individuals with developmental disabilities

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 17:31:30 +0000

@Doug,

Hope your daughter is in a school that she likes now and understands how to best teach her, and think you left an important legacy in Iowa for other families and special needs kids. Very best—-

By: Doug Loeffler

Doug Loeffler — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:29:26 +0000

Thanks for posting this article as well as some earlier articles. My family, and especially my daughter, have been through some really traumatic times, but we are really happy that our saga has led to changes that will help other families in Iowa and elsewhere.

We also won a very strong Federal District Court ruling that the Waukee School’s definition of inclusion (it doesn’t count as inclusion unless disabled children can perform on par) and their use of negative interventions were both illegal. In particular, we very successfully used the new requirement within IDEA 2004 that school programs, including behavioral programs, comply with peer-reviewed research to the extent practical. Given that there is no peer-reviewed research on time-outs of the punitive type that were used on my daughter this is a very powerful addition to the special education law.

Doug

By: Marla

Marla — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:55:47 +0000

Terrible. I grew up in Iowa and never saw timeouts used. Sometimes I wonder why it seems like these sorts of measures are increasing?

By: sharon

sharon — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:18:54 +0000

It’s scary that the staff really believe this is helpful!

By: David N. Andrews M. Ed. (Distinction)

David N. Andrews M. Ed. (Distinction) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:47:35 +0000

CS, thanks!

As for Partington, this could be down to him. Like I say, as far as I have been aware, Skinner did not agree with punishment at all.

May have to re-review my thoughts on him, depending how this pans out.

Again, I thank you.

By: CS

CS — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:26:48 +0000

I also have knowledge that Jim Partington, who was a consultant to Israel early in his career, stated that Skinner advised Israel on how to use the methods that killed Vincent Milletich. However, my only proof is a dinner conversation between Partington and someone I know so its rather flimsy but I do intend at some point to post about this “hearsay” and draw Partington out to talk about it.

By: CS

CS — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:24:06 +0000

David,

Its in a link on my blog here:

http://autisticnation.typepad.com/thinking_in_metaphors/2008/07/interverbal-def.html