Seclusion rooms, also known as isolation rooms or timeout rooms, are spaces designed to isolate an individual for a brief period. These rooms are often used in schools and other institutions, particularly with minors, as a form of behavioral intervention.
These rooms, although controversial in some circles, have been proven to provide more benefit than harm when designed, installed and instituted with care and proper diligence. Often used to help students and children as a method of behavioral management, these rooms help by removing students from stimulating environments, giving them an opportunity to calm down and/or regain self control.
In addition to behavioral management, these rooms have been proven to reduce harm to students and others, offer unique and individualized support to minors when used appropriately.
The design of seclusion rooms for minors varies depending on the purpose, regulations, and policies of the institution implementing them. However, there are general principles that are often followed to ensure the safety and well-being of the individuals placed in seclusion.
Seclusion rooms are typically small, providing limited space for the individual. The size is often regulated to prevent it from being too restrictive or uncomfortable. Regulations may specify minimum dimensions to ensure that the room is not excessively cramped, in which case our team will ensure that all designs meet the necessary code requirements.
Seclusion rooms should also be free of potential hazards. This includes removing any objects that could be used for self-harm or harm to others. Walls, floors, and even ceilings, in some cases, are often designed to be durable and easy to clean.
When it comes to lighting, seclusion rooms are typically well-lit to ensure visibility and safety. However, some rooms make use of subdued lighting to create a calming environment. The choice of lighting often comes down to the children that will be using the room. In some cases, dimmers and other types of colored lighting are used to best accommodate a variety of potential uses.
Depending on both the student and the facility, there may be provisions for monitoring the individual in the seclusion room. This could involve direct visual observation or video monitoring to ensure their safety and will have to be taken into consideration during the design process.
The final piece of the design process for a new seclusion room is furniture. Depending on the precise use of the room, padded furniture and other sensory objects might be included inside the room to help give the student to self-regulate and move their minds to a more calming state. We have included padded seating, ball pits and a variety of other shapes, and accessories for seclusion rooms. These choices ultimately come down to available space inside the room and what exact requirements are recommended.
For any and all padded room design questions or if you are looking to gain additional insight or pricing on such a room, do not hesitate to reach out to a member of our team. With decades of experience, we can design and install the seclusion room perfectly suited to you or your facilities specific needs.
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