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NO RESTRAINT LETTER
Drafted by Calvin
and Tricia Luker of the Respect ABILITY Law Center (248) 544-7223
PARENTS NAME
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE ZIP CODE
TELEPHONE NUMBER
Date
(Name of Special Education Director)
(Name of School District)
(Address of School)
Re: child’s name and birth date (DOB 8-11-75)
Dear (Name of Special Education Director):
My child, child’s name, is a ________ grade student at ______ school.
Insert child’s name has autism and has been receiving special
education services since s/he started school.
We are concerned that insert child’s name behavior challenges now are
being or might be addressed in part through the use of physical
management and restraint. I have not authorized and will not consent
to any activity that involves physically or mechanically restraining
my child while at school or going to and from school. I know that
special education law requires the use of functional assessments of
behavior and positive behavior support plans to address behavior
challenges. If the school feels insert child’s name behavior is such
that physical management or restraints are being considered or used,
it is obvious to me that we need to follow the law, do the assessment
and develop a positive behavior support plan.
I am sure you are aware of the number of news reports in recent years
highlighting the death of children with autism during or after having
been physically managed or restrained. Given that special education
law requires the development of behavior plans, and given the known
risks to children – and to insert child’s name – of the use of
restraint, I need for you to be clear that I will weigh all legal
options if restraint activities against insert child’s name are not
terminated immediately.
You may consider this letter a request to convene a behavior support
team meeting to discuss insert child’s name behavior and possible
approaches to address his/her particular needs. You also may consider
this letter my request and consent for the performance of a functional
assessment of behavior across environments and across time, provided
that I am informed in advance that the functional assessment of
behavior is going to be conducted and am permitted to participate in
the development and implementation of the assessment.
I want to work with you and with insert child’s name teachers and
professionals at _____ school to be sure that insert child’s name
learns to develop positive behavioral skills in an environment that is
safe for him/her, for his/her peers and for school personnel. I am
certain that you also share my concern for student safety where
physical intervention has the potential to result in the student’s
death. I, like you, want my child’s school to be a safe and secure
environment where all students can learn. I want to work with you to
help create that environment for insert child’s name.
Sincerely,
(Your name)
(Your address)
(Your telephone number)
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