Schools Face Outcry Over Restraint Practices Following Disturbing Footage

Five school employees in New Jersey were terminated after an 8-year-old autistic girl was found bound with tape in a classroom, raising serious concerns about the treatment of vulnerable students. The mother of the girl reported that her daughter, who is non-verbal, was restrained multiple times, leading her to seek medical evaluations for potential abuse. In a separate incident in Leeds, UK, disturbing footage emerged showing a 12-year-old autistic boy being violently restrained by five staff members in a padded seclusion room, prompting outrage and calls for a review of restraint practices in schools. Experts described the restraint as excessive and traumatic, emphasizing the need for better guidelines on managing autistic students. Despite these criticisms, the management of Springwell Leeds Academy defended the staff, claiming investigations found no wrongdoing. This situation reflects a broader issue regarding the use of force and the conditions of 'calming' spaces for children with special needs.