While things seem to be equalling out as of lately, there is no denying that there still remains quite a bit of stigma surrounding padded rooms in schools and other educational institutions. There are some unfortunate stories that have rightfully made their way across the internet, causing outrage and in some cases, disgust to those who read them.
When it comes to mistreating students, patients or any human being, for that matter, we should be outraged. That said, when these unique rooms are utilized correctly, they have been proven to provide countless benefits to those that use them. Under the right circumstances and supervision, these unique calming spaces allow students and patients alike to de-escalate, calm down or simply gather their thoughts and organize their feelings effectively.
With a wide myriad of unique conditions and needs in our society today, the advent of these padded spaces was once that surfaced from a place of care. Whether individuals were prone to hurting themselves or others or simply needed a place to calm down, that is why these rooms first began to be used.
There is no denying that there has been some abuse and misuse in the past, and with that in mind, here’s a few main factors that continue to work against the stigma surrounding these rooms and what we can do to help it along.
Proper Implementation
These are not jail cells and should never be treated as such. Much of the negative attention padded rooms in schools and other related facilities receive is from rare cases where children are locked inside and left unsupervised. It’s no surprise that children in these cases become fearful and filled with anxiety and this is a big reason we’d never advocate for that kind of use.
The truth is, the large majority of the facilities utilizing seclusion rooms are responsible and provide training for all staff involved in the use of these rooms. With the proper staff member in place, these rooms are then used as intended and provide a safe space for children and students. With proper administration, the risk of abuse declines to nearly zero, putting the onus on those left responsible for both the students and the cleanliness and use of the rooms themselves.
Voluntary Use
Continuing on the aforementioned, the fact is that seclusion rooms are now becoming more and more popular among patients and students. Rather than being placed in these rooms as a form of seclusion, or in worse cases, punishment, studies are now showing that students are asking for time inside these rooms. By choosing to spend time with themselves in an environment that they find calming and comfortable, they are able to self-regulate on their own terms. This has been a major breakthrough over the past few years in highlighting the benefits of these rooms, rather than the negative stigma that has followed them for so long.
Lack of Awareness
Ignorance is unfortunately a reality in the world we live in today. Where headlines often take the lion’s share of attention, few people tend to dig deeper into the facts. Again, this is not an attempt to make excuses for wrongful doing in the past. There have been some atrocious incidents that have taken place in these types of spaces and there is no room for that in our world.
The truth is, many people cannot fathom the sorts of behaviors teachers, therapists and other professionals see in schools and programs for youth with a certain level of need. They understand kids talking back or making general threats or being disruptive but are unable to consider the children who dissociate and are unable to control their bodies.
In some cases walls are punched in until there are massive holes, windows get shattered, desks can be thrown across the room, books and papers torn, writing utensils used as weapons,as well as the looming possibility of physical aggression as well..
In these cases where we tread the line between protecting students and regulators alike, it can be difficult to fully grasp the entire situation in schools across North America. We need to continue to provide the right training, to respect the needs of both educators and students and ensure that, above all else, the safety and care of the student or patient is of chief concern.
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