Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

No More Seclusion In Schools!

No More Seclusion In Schools!

The Autistic Collective wholly supports the recent decision of the government to ban the practise of seclusion in schools. We also agree with statements made by Altogether Autism and the Human Rights Commission on the practise.

Seclusion is here defined as the forcible locking away of students in separate rooms, as a means of controlling their behaviour, punishing them, or simply because a member of the teaching staff doesn’t know what else to do.

We recognise that schools often face significant challenges in management of some students. Nonetheless, this practise amounts to a form of imprisonment, and a distressing breach of the students’ human rights.

We also call on the government to provide more intensive training for all schools in how to manage disabled students, especially those with autism. Prevention of behaviours is always better than punishments or isolation once they occur. Failure to provide such training may mean ‘back-sliding’, or other and possibly worse methods being used.

Because of their different neurology, autistic students require different management strategies even to other special needs students. Frequently suffering from sensory or social overload, they need a quiet, separate space to rest and recuperate.

There is a difference between seclusion and the use of such a respite room, sometimes called a ‘low sensory room’ or ‘comfort zone’. In the latter, going there is at the student’s own instigation, or at the suggestion of a teacher who recognises when it’s needed. The student is never, ever forced to go, and never locked in, unable to leave even when they are ready.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Such a resource, and training for teachers and students in how to use it properly, is an essential if negative practises such as seclusion are to be truly eliminated.

###

The Autistic Collective is a group of autistic advocates who have joined together in order to become more effective in our advocacy. Our website can be found at www.autisticcollectivenz.org


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.