Instructors: Matthew Brodhead, BCBA-D and Matthew J. Cicoria, BCBA
CEU credits: 1.5 (Ethics)
BACB Ethics Code elements addressed:
- 2.15: Minimizing Risks of Behavior Change Interventions
- 2.18: Continual Evaluation of Behavior Change Interventions
- 3.01: Responsibility to Clients
- 3.06: Consulting with Other Providers
- 3.12: Advocating for Appropriate Services
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
Dr. Matt Brodhead returns to the podcast to talk about a topic he's dedicated the better part of nearly completed sabbatical trying to understand: restraint and seclusion practices in public school settings.
In this episode, we talk about why he chose this topic to study, the difficulty in defining what constitutes a restraint, the challenges with documenting events, the terrible state of systematic, nation-wide data collection on restraint and seclusion events - particularly those that result in injuries and deaths, the pros and cons of banning these practices, potential legislation regarding these practices, and lots more.
Clearly this is an issue that generates controversy, and I hope you'll find that we did our best to talk about the subject with the appropriate amount of nuance and sensitivity.
In addition to his teaching and research duties at Michigan State University, Matt also provides consultation to schools and agencies, and specializes in developing systems that promote ethical decision making. If you'd like to work with Matt, you can contact him at either mattbrodhead.com or betteraba.com. At the latter website, you can purchase his excellent guide, A Workbook in Behavioral Systems Analysis and Ethical Behavior (by the way, these make for great gifts).
Resources discussed in this podcast:
- Scheuermann et al. (2016). Professional Practice and Ethical Issues Related to Physical Restraint and Seclusion in Schools.
- Kern et al. (2022). A Review of U.S. Policy Guidance and Legislation on Restraint and Seclusion in Schools: Considerations for Improvement.
- Nunno et al. (2021). A 26-Year Study of Restraint Fatalities Among Children and Adolescents in the United States: A Failure of Organizational Structures and Processes.
- Merrill Winston's earlier podcast on this topic (and CEU opportunity as well).
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