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finding positive alternatives to physical restraint

Mark Brend Author, editor and journalist

Dave Jackson Regional director, Northern Region, Choice Support

Breaking a cycle of physical intervention in handling violent incidents and adopting positive behavioural approaches brought about a radical turnaround in the behaviour of a young man with autism. As Mark Brend and Dave Jackson explain, the change also had the added benefit of drastically reducing the cost of providing care, and, most importantly, improving the client’s quality of life

Last February The Howard League for Penal Reform stated that unacceptable levels of pain was routinely being used to restrain children in custody. The report was the result of an independent investigation, led by Lord Carlile (2006), which was set in motion after the death of a 15-year old boy in a privately-managed secure unit. The youth died while being restrained by three adults. Among its 45 recommendations, the report said that:

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the use of physical interventions must be severely restricted

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physical force must never be used to secure compliance or as a punishment.

Learning Disability Practice. 9, 10, 32-38. doi: 10.7748/ldp2006.12.9.10.32.c7777

Keywords :

autism - challenging behaviour - empowerment