Punishment or discipline, according to Ms. Trautwein, is meant to help students take responsibility for their actions and to teach proper and appropriate responses to situations. When used correctly, discipline measures should build children’s life skills and help them better deal with different situations. Children, therefore, cannot be exempt from following general school rules.

Discipline Within an IEP or Section 504

Children with disabilities and receiving services and accommodations under either an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) or Section 504 can have discipline measures written directly into the service contract. Again, parents are able to bring any request to the table for review and discussion by the IEP team. Ms. Trautwein suggests parents offer alternatives rather than just rejecting the school’s discipline process. For example, she said if parents go into the meeting with alternative measures of discipline with an attitude of trying different methods to determine if it is successful. To do this, parents should have clear definitions and indicators for success as well as a specific time limit for trying the alternative methods of discipline.

In addition, Ms. Trautwein suggested the use of a behavior therapist if normal discipline measures are not working. This could be used within the accommodations provided by the IEP or Section 504. A behavior therapist could be used to observe the child and provide strategies to change behaviors rather than using punitive measures.

The Use of Restraints or Seclusion

According to an article on WrightsLaw, the use of physical restraints “is becoming more prevalent in public schools.” [1] Some states and school districts allow the use of physical restraint only when a child is considered to be a danger to others or themselves. However, other states and school districts are more liberal in their use of restraints or seclusion rooms.

The federal government has issued standards for medical and non-medical centers (group homes) for the use of restraints: