Seclusion story from a student

[Guest guest]

Below is a comment about a news story in Ohio and Florida about seclusion rooms

in schools used for disabled students:

http://www.care2.com/causes/ohio-and-florida-public-schools-lock-mentally-disabl\

ed-children-in-closets.html

I am 19 years old and am just starting college in Georgia. I have non-verbal

learning disability, a mild form of Asperger's Syndrome. When I was eleven years

old and living in Florida, I was put in a time - out room just like the boy

mentioned in the article who killed himself.

The article instantly brought back memories -awful ones.

Whenever I had a " meltdown " (sensory overload induced tantrum common to children

with my disorder) I would be physically restrained, my arms pinned behind my

back, and then tossed into one of these horrible seclusion rooms. I would cry

for what seemed like - and sometimes was- hours, wondering when I'd be let out.

This went on for the two and a half years I attended a school for children with

special needs and behavioral issues.

7 + years later, I still can't think about it without shuddering. I was a wreck

when I left that place.

The worst part I remember was feeling like nobody cared - like I was just some

freak that nobody knew or cared if I were shut away.

Thank you to the writers and publishers of this article for shedding light on an

issue that I know is still a horrific problem today.

Read more:

http://www.care2.com/causes/ohio-and-florida-public-schools-lock-mentally-disabl\

ed-children-in-closets.html#ixzz23RW8QBsm