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

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.

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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.

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

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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.

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

How about electric shock therapy?

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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.

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This surprises people?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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?

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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?

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

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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! :)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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