The impact of a schoolwide de-escalation intervention plan on the use of seclusion and restraint in a special education school

• Published in: Emotional and behavioural difficulties Vol. 24; no. 4; pp. 357 - 373
• Main Authors: Verret, Claudia, Massé, Line, Lagacé-Leblanc, Jeanne, Delisle, Gaëlle, Doyon, Johanne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 02-10-2019; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Aggression; Behavior Disorders; Behavior Modification; Crisis Management; De-escalation; Discipline; Elementary School Students; Elementary schools; Emotional and behavioural disorder; Emotional Disturbances; Environmental Influences; Foreign Countries; Intervention; Precursors; primary school; Program Effectiveness; restraint; seclusion; Self Control; Self regulation; Sensory Experience; Social isolation; Special Education; Special Schools; Staff Development; Student Behavior; Students; Canada (Montreal)
• ISSN: 1363-2752; 1741-2692
• DOI: 10.1080/13632752.2019.1628375

This research occurs in a specialized primary school for students having emotional and behavioural disorders (EBD) in a suburb of Montréal in Canada. The aims were to a) evaluate the impact of a schoolwide de-escalation intervention plan on the use of de-escalation and seclusion-restraint measures throughout the school year and b) to identify the precursors of seclusion and restraint use (SRU). Data were obtained from systematic observation of behavioural incidents over a period of three months. The frequency, the duration and the nature of behaviours were observed. Results showed a higher frequency of de-escalation measures compared to SRU. They also showed a significant decrease in the frequency and the total duration of SRU throughout the year. A high frequency of negative behaviours was observed among students and SRU was found to be significantly higher in younger students. Implementation of a behavioural support plan was found to promote self-regulation and prevent SRU in students with EBD. Young students and those with aggressive behaviours seemed to benefit more.