Ethical and Professional Guidelines for Use of Crisis Procedures

The use of crisis procedures, such as seclusion and physical restraint, in U.S. schools has garnered a great deal of national attention, resulting in reports from professional organizations, proposed legislation, and recent recommendations from the . In this paper, we review the recommendations from the U.S. DOE, highlight the need for proactive and positive behavior supports, and propose guidelines for educators and parents to promote the ethical and professional use of crisis procedures. In addition, we present tools that define crisis procedures, summarize the U.S. DOE recommendations, prompt key crisis event considerations, and facilitate educators’ and parents’ reviews of crisis procedures.