'Body sox' used for restraint against Florida 4-year-olds

by J.D. Griffioen (Subscribe to J.D. Griffioen's posts) Dec 14th 2006 5:11PM

Categories: Development, Childcare, Education, Kid Decor & Style, Toys & Games, Gadgets & Tech

School officials in Florida are using a highly unusual -- and now controversial -- method to calm students that are upset. It's called a "body sock," and a teacher in Pinellas County has reportedly been using them to restrain unruly students. According to the device's website, "body sox" are designed to help kids "explore three-dimensional space," but in practice they are being used for therapy, and in some cases, punishment. The device is made of a cloth-like material and zips closed, completely enveloping the child inside.

One 4-year-old boy was placed in the sack, while crying, after he had been given verbal warnings to behave. His father thinks the teacher was wrong to place him in the device as a form of punishment. "I don't like it at all," said Patrick Holt, the boy's father. "I don't think it should be used on anybody." His son was the only one who the teacher reported using the device that day in that class.

The school board has opened an investigation, and it did publicly confirm that body sox are approved for use in classrooms but shouldn't be considered restraining devices. "It has been used in some of our exceptional student educational classrooms as a very calming therapeutic and well received type of strategy to calm students down," school board Director of Communications Andrea Zahn said.

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Comments (198)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)

Ginny 12-14-2006 @ 5:41PM

This is a local story. I haven't seen anything about this tho. All I know is, if they put MY four year old in that thing as punishment, I'd be pretty pissed off. How terrifying for the kid to be zipped up in that thing against his will. I'll have to ask my DDs day care owner if they have heard of these.

Tara 12-14-2006 @ 5:51PM

I don't know what this Andrea Zahn is talking about- using them to calm kids down? That's really not what they're designed for at all. They're made of a translucent fabric so the child on the inside can see out but the people on the outside can't "see in", so to speak. They're for use with movement activities as a way of encouraging free movement.

I've used these, as intended (meaning, not against the child's will!) for large motor exploration with children both with and without sensory challenges. They should never ever be used as a restraint.

This is alarming. This "novel" new use is an effective way to get a young child to develop crippling claustrophobia.

thordora 12-14-2006 @ 5:42PM

I'm an adult, and if I was mad, and someone put me in that I would FREAK OUT even more.

Erin Ross 12-14-2006 @ 7:27PM

Gesus - this would scare the hell out of me NOW due to my claustrophobia... and I don't think it is right for ANYONE to do this to MY children, except me. Not that I would. But gesus.

ann adams 12-14-2006 @ 7:27PM

Are we going back to The Snake Pit? Will straight jackets be next?

How about electric shock therapy?

cathy 12-14-2006 @ 9:27PM

my son's OT suggested I buy one, BUT she only uses it on a willing child. I don't think (I hope) she would never use it when he needed dicipline. Maybe I should ask? Good post.

Uly 12-14-2006 @ 10:02PM

This surprises people?

special education teacher 12-14-2006 @ 10:49PM

That sounds totally bizarre and scary, but I guess for some kids with sensory processing disorders maybe a good calm down. It does not sound good to use totally zipped up on a crying kid. I remember using these body socks in drama class in high school and then again in 3D Design in college ours did not have zippers, they were just stretchy fabric sewn into large socks, for accomodating one, two or 3+ people.

Christine 12-15-2006 @ 11:57AM

I would freak out. And I would freak out if a teacher ever did that to my child. Unbelievable.

Poor schoolboard.. they are probably like.. now how did that approval turn into THIS?

Sounds like the teacher is demented. She should have to take certain classes before being allowed to return. Just my opinion.

What ever happened to sending kids to the principals office if they misbehave. The principal *usually* is level headed because he or she is not in the emotional throws of the situation.

Goingape 12-15-2006 @ 2:01PM

I don't think that this should be used by your typical teacher in a typical school setting. However, the body sox do have some therapeutic uses for out of control kids. I have worked on child inpatient units where blanket rolling was used as a means to calm down children with sensory issues or kids who were a threat to themselves or others. In fact, most kids found it so calming that they would ask to be blanket rolled to soothe themselves. So, I can see how this would have the same effect.

HOWEVER, I don't think that most teachers have sufficient training to know when/if this would be the best course of action. Nor do most average kids have the need for such an intervention. So, don't write it off as absurd, but do question that a teacher did this outside of protocol and without thinking through what he/she was doing. Such interventions should only be used with extensive training in an agency/hospital setting where there is a protocol/procedure and close close supervison. The teacher was negligient for doing it without those things in place.

Terri Mauro 12-15-2006 @ 3:50PM

My son has one of these, and it does calm him down. It doesn't actually zip up -- the ones we have are fastened with a piece of velcro but still leave some openings in the slit. I've recommended it to the school as a calming thing for him, and in his case, it's something he would want to do as a "time out" if he was overstimulated and acting up. That's not the same as forcing a kid in one as a punishment, of course. Sounds like somebody taking a good tool that's worked in other areas and trying to force it into another use. But I don't think it's as scary as it sounds, either.

Chris 12-16-2006 @ 6:45PM

They do that at my School its a reward though, its fun

CJ 12-17-2006 @ 6:27AM

I am a teacher and also a parent so I do relate to and understand both sides of the fence as an educator and a parent of a school aged child. Will parents honestly answer...what is a teacher to do with a truly unruly child in the classroom with behavior that is 1) totally disruptive to the learning environment-in other words...prevents the other students from learning? 2)Parents don't want ANYONE touching their child at any time for any reason...again...what is a teacher/school to do if the parent is unable or unwilling to come to the school immediately to pick up the child? Parents always think that school is a free babysitting service especially when THEY have unruly children...yet THE PARENTS have an unrealistic and warped sense when it comes to disciplining and restraining their child when their child is truly out of control at a given time. WILL A PARENT TRULY AND HONESTLY explain what should be done to restrain YOUR child when their at-risk behavior is a danger (throwing books, chairs, desks, yelling)and distraction to the majority of students who are not a problem? Do you really expect the school to always keep a hands-off approach?

Rick 12-17-2006 @ 6:32AM

I don't know as I agree with this method, but something must be done. My daughter is a teacher and believe me it just keeps getting worse in the classroom. Parents don't want the child held accountable for his or her behavior. So what is your suggestion?

Owen 12-17-2006 @ 6:47AM

If they ever put my child in a Body sox they would be put in a Body Bag.

Daphne 12-17-2006 @ 6:52AM

WHAT??? NO WAY!!!! And some of you believe this is okay? I am sorry, but this is absolutely inappropriate! This is the first time I have heard anything about this. But you can bet I will be talking to DCF tomorrow morning! This could cause a child to have seizures, heart attack, or just go off completely mentally. I am a Day Care Professional and would walk out (with my grandson in tow) if my boss ever suggested such a thing be used on any child in her daycare! I am a 59 year old grandmother, and believe me I believe in "sparing the rod and spoiling the child", but this goes too far! This reeks of child abuse....and if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, IT'S A DUCK!!! Thanks for letting me vent and getting in my two cents.....cuz I'm normally a very nice, loving, outgoing person....really I am! :)

Jerry Washburn 12-17-2006 @ 6:54AM

I see nothing wrong what the teacher did she may have been wrong what the teacher did she may have been
protecting the other kids from that unrully kid.People think about it would you want your child attacked in class but a student that was out of control.I am all for these socks if they work an the kids know that their parents are standing behind the teachers.

Mummie/E 12-17-2006 @ 7:03AM

I can sympathize with poster "CJ's" view and feelings. School IS viewed as a baby sitting service. It's viewed as free counceling. Suddenly 'troublesome' children become the responsibility of the schools, teachers, principals, school boards...rather than thier own parents. I am not a teacher. However, my husband works in the school system (not as a teacher, so this shows you that this problem goes beyond the classroom), and I'm a parent. I take FULL responsibility of my child ALL of the time. If ANYONE ever called to tell me my child was being disruptive, I would go get my child and handle it. I wouldn't look toward the school to do it. This doesn't justify in anyway, any person EVER sticking a child in a 'sock' to calm or control him/her. In a therapuetic environment, by the right people, with parent/child consent, perhaps. But otherwise...this is unacceptable. Parents need to step up and start taking responsibility for their children. End of story.

Jean 12-17-2006 @ 7:08AM

Why does this sound like a high tech version of putting a child in a closet "until they calm down". Of course they calm down.....so does anyone beaten into submission. We do not approve of a closet....we should not approve of a fabric one.

In response to the teacher.....if a child is a danger to the enviroment, then remove him. Even my sons high school had in-school detention, run by a teacher with special training. I realize this is an expense, but I for one, think it is definately one worth the cost.

Mummie/E 12-17-2006 @ 7:08AM

Poster Jerry W: Never be behind the idea that a teacher or ANYONE else can 'punish' your child in any physical fashion. What we need to do, is give the teachers and schools back more authority to EJECT, REJECT, and PROSECUTE where applicable. This garbage of 'everyone is entitled to an education' is bull dung! You are entitled, IF you are actually there to educate yourself. NOT if you are there to disrupt the learning environment and keep others from pursuing their wish to educate. I would have EVERY person involved in the school-teachers, administrators, students, EVERYONE-file a suit for breach of civil liberties. By FORCING others to 'put up with' these unruly children...everyone loses their right to an education!