Definition
Restraint is physically holding or restricting a person's movement; seclusion is confining them alone in a space they cannot leave. Both are used in some schools and settings, disproportionately on disabled and autistic students.
Why It Matters
These practices carry serious risk of physical and psychological harm, and even death, and they are a major disability-rights concern. Families benefit from knowing their state's laws, their child's rights, and how to document and challenge use.
Common Misconception
Restraint and seclusion are not therapy or teaching, and they do not address the cause of distress. They are emergency-only measures at best, frequently overused, and prevention through understanding and accommodation is the real solution.