Teacher Experiences of Restraint Events and School District Policies on the Use of Restraint with Children With Disabilities

Abstract

Physical restraint is an emergency procedure restricting the movement of an individual and is used in events where students pose an imminent threat of physical harm to themselves or others. Students with disabilities are subjected to these procedures seven times more than typically developing students. Over the past decade, there has been substantial policy reform on the use of restraint; however, policies still vary across the country. Additionally, research on experiences of the use of and policy on restraint in school settings is incredibly limited. The current study expands the body of literature by investigating teachers’ experiences, and factors associated with experiences, of restraint events and district policy utilizing a multiple-methods survey design. One hundred eighty Prekindergarten through 12th-grade teachers working in a variety of school settings across the country completed a self-report online survey. Results revealed variability in experiences of restraint events and school district policies. While most participants reported following the district policy as written, level of education significantly impacted teachers’ adhering to the policy, wherein those with higher levels of education were less likely to follow the policy. Implications for policy and practice are provided.