Kristina E. Ingles, Ph.D. Candidate/M.D. Candidate
Heather M. Dulas, Ph.D.
Humberto Peña, Jr., Ph.D.
Sarah Nichols, B.A.
Elliott McFarlane, B.A.
Megan Benzel, B.A.
Lisa Bowman-Perrott, Ph.D.

Texas A&M University

Aversive procedures such as seclusion and restraint are generally viewed as emergency only procedures in school settings. However, they are still used too often to respond to student behaviors in schools. The purpose of this scoping review was to determine which types of documents have been published in peer-reviewed journals, the degree of progress that has been made toward the reduction in the inappropriate use of seclusion and restraints, and how these practices have impacted students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) and/or emotional disturbance (ED). Our summary includes the type of article, antecedent and preventative variables, parent and student perspectives, policies, preventative measures, and legal cases in the literature across 32 peer-reviewed articles from 2009 to 2022. Key findings reveal an increase in the use of seclusion and restraint procedures, despite growing awareness and attention within the education sector. Additionally, the ongoing lack of staff training in emergency procedures suggest that the small number of staff employing these measures may be causing greater harm than previously reported in prior years. Further, we found individuals with disabilities (in particular students ED) and students of color or with linguistic diversity were much more likely to be secluded or restrained in school than their peers. Finally, the varied documents present within the peer-reviewed literature suggest an ongoing interest in advocating for students and their families who have experienced seclusion and/or restraints in school settings. Recommendations for research, practice, and policy are discussed. 

Keywords: Seclusion and restraint, GAO hearing, special education, children with disabilities, aversives, behavior modification, educational law, equity in education, behavior, ED, EBD

• To Read this Article - or Download this Article (login required)

• To Download the Entire SPRING/SUMMER 2025 Issue of JAASEP -  (login required)

NASET Members -  Login to Access These Files.

If you are a member of NASET, please login to freely access this and all archived articles of JAASEP

If you are NOT A MEMBER of NASET you may purchase this article of JAASEP for $9.95 (use the "Buy now" button below):

OR Buy the entire issue of JAASEP WINTER 2025 for $34.95. Use the BUY NOW button below:

OR - Join NASET and have access to this & ALL PAST ISSUES of JAASEP - JOIN NASET

Return to the Table of Contents - CLICK HERE