A Boy's Struggle with School's Timeout Room

In Beverly, Massachusetts, a mother's fight for her son's well-being turned into a battle with the school system. A 7-year-old autistic boy was repeatedly placed in a padded timeout room. This room, tucked between two classrooms, was used 13 times in just three weeks. Inside, the boy would kick, punch, and even remove screws from the walls. His mother, Carlee Hanslik-Buruiana, was not happy with this arrangement. She had objected to her son being in the timeout space, but the school district insisted they did not need her consent. The boy spent nearly six hours in total in the timeout room before his mother pulled him out of school with a doctor's note. The trouble started when the boy was moved to Centerville Elementary for a special education program. This program was supposed to better meet his needs, but things quickly went south. The boy was placed in the timeout room for various behaviors, from throwing chairs to making threats. The timeout room is supposed to be a voluntary space for students to calm down, but Hanslik-Buruiana alleged that the door was sometimes shut, trapping her son inside. This is a big no-no in Massachusetts, where seclusion is prohibited.

The school district claims they follow all the rules. They say the timeout rooms are safe and clean, and that they are used to help students calm down. But special education advocates have raised concerns about the frequent use of timeout rooms. They worry about the impact on a student's education and well-being. The state's education department is also taking a closer look at timeout practices. The conflict between Hanslik-Buruiana and the school reached a boiling point in late March. The boy was placed in timeout multiple times in one day, and the principal called the police. The police visited Hanslik-Buruiana's home, but found no issues. The state's child welfare agency also looked into the matter, but did not find enough evidence to investigate further. Despite all this, Hanslik-Buruiana still wants her son in a specialized program outside of Beverly's school system. She believes it's the best way to meet his needs and keep him safe. The use of timeout rooms is a contentious issue in special education. Some schools use them as a way to control students, while others see them as a necessary tool for managing behavior. The line between appropriate use and abuse can be blurry, and it's often up to parents and advocates to push for better practices. In the case of Hanslik-Buruiana and her son, the fight is far from over. They continue to advocate for better support and understanding for students with special needs.

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