MIDDLETOWN, CT (PIX11)—
Some Connecticut parents are making stunning allegations about punishment handed out to their elementary school children. At the Farm Hill School in Middletown, reports have been trickling out from students, parents and educators that some children are being put into what's known as restraint and seclusion rooms, but they're more commonly called 'scream rooms' by the children as they hear those sounds coming from the rooms when children are confined in them.What's worse, there are now reports being investigated that some children are so disturbed by being placed in them that they beat their heads against the wall until they are bleeding and that they urinate on themselves.
Apryl Dudley, the president of the school's PTA, alerted the school to parents' concerns. The superintendent responded to concerns with additional oversight committees being set up and increasing a school psychologist from half to full time. It's not enough according to many parents we spoke with.
Christina Barrett has a first grader. Chad came home with tales of how some children became violent and disruptive in class; they requested he be moved to another class.
"It's really disturbing. The teachers put these kids in this tiny room and hold the door closed while they are inside screaming," said Barrett. She and her husband Randy moved to the neighborhood so Chad could be in what they considered to be a top-notch school. They were never told that the school would be educating some of the most emotionally and behaviorally challenged students. Many parents worry the teachers do not have the proper training to handle the students. And so does Jim McGaughey, the Executive Director of the state agency tasked with protecting these children.
The rooms are meant to be padded under state guidelines, but the one picture taken of a room by a local paper doesn't appear to show any padding whatsoever. Children have also complained to parents of ambulances, police cars and officers coming to their tiny school to deal with out-of-control students, and seeing fellow children on stretchers.
"They may not be using the right protocols to handle these children," said McGaughey. He conceded no child should be left in a room to scream to the point of bloodying and soiling himself. His is one of three agencies now investigating Farm Hill's practices.
Senator Ed Meyer was part of the committee that changed the rules for restraint and seclusion practices in Connecticut 5 years ago. It was done in response to two child deaths due to restraint asphyxiation--children who suffocated while being held down by state handlers--on their way to seclusion rooms at a state facility.
"It's irresponsible. We don't want students punished this way. They should never be restrained until they are beating their head against a wall or urinating on themselves," said Meyer. He also expressed concerns that teachers without the proper training are using this as a way to push off dealing with these difficult, special-needs children.
He's vowed to call school administrators in for a special legislative hearing, complete with comments from the public, to ferret out what's happening. And with three other agencies investigating, parents are hoping the practice will soon come to an end.
