Padded rooms can be found in facilities that work with individuals with extreme behavior. However, they are not designed as prison cells to hold these individuals- there is a protocol for how they are to be used within the education process. If a child is destructive and needs to be restrained, the padded room can be a safe environment when used with proper supervision- generally 2 or more people in the room with the individual to manage the restraint and make sure the individual does not hurt themselves. Unfortunately I have seen many extreme behavior issues. My son had a complete melt down and despite heavy supervision managed to destroy an entire facility wing in about 20 minutes.

Also, any parent having concerns about their kids being locked up at school or running off should visit my newly launched web site, www.autismambitions.com and check out our AT&T GPS solutions. They have two way voice communication so a distressed child can contact their parent.

You try the direct route and ask the teachers or other staff about the room, how it used and ask to check it out yourself. I don't know why would think you'd go to jail for exercising your rights as a parent.

Wow, I am shocked that they actually do that! At first I thought you were talking about a sensory therapy room, you know with foam blocks and exercise mats or maybe just padding in the regular class just in case a child has a tantrum and to protect him from harming himself. But... to put a child in a room by himself has to be frightening for him I would definitely ask and go and see this room for yourself. Either way they need to inform you of this and clarify why and when it is used.

Thanks Colette, I don't have a problem with it but I would like to be notified. Especially if it's used for those purposes.

My son's school has a padded room that contains other helpful sensory calming objects to help in calming aggression, anxiety and whatever else may be annoying the child. If a child feels he or she needs some time to bounce back from anger, they can request to go into the room for a few minutes with a behavior specialist. My son has never gone in the room but does occasionally need to be calmed but the behavior specialist for his grade has found that massage with a foam covered rolling pin does the trick. He also participates in yoga and martial arts daily, which help tremendously with anxiety. I think they try to avoid using the room but it's there if the need arises. As the parent, I think I should be told if that room has been utilized.