This non-profit is grounded in such a worth cause, defending the most basic of human rights for a child (or adult) to have bodily autonomy and not to be restrained or secluded. The body of research that now supports this work is substantial, and the abundance of options that exist as alternatives to opting for seclusion or restraint is large and growing rapidly. Advancing this cause is vital to the safety and well-being of children and adults who already suffer and struggle to find their way in our society, and I support it wholeheartedly!
AASR is a phenomenal organization that deserves recognition for its efforts in bringing attention to the issues of seclusion and restraint, as well as many of the facets behind them.
AASR is an invaluable resource for support and education for families, teachers, and other professionals. Guy and the AASR team are making big changes in schools around the world by shifting the mindsets of individuals and growing a community committed to knowing better and doing better.
I messaged Guy for help after my 12 year old was restrained 48 times in a school year by his specialist setting.
This was a desperate appeal for help.
We are in the UK but I had been following the alliance and its work on FB.
Within hours I had a response and was put in touch with people in the UK who could really help.
My son has ASD, ADHD, LD and early life trauma and absolutely needs school to be trauma responsive .
Just when I was giving up all hope we now have restraint reduction team involved .
I will forever be grateful to this organisation and specifically Guy for taking the time to help my son from across the pond.
On behalf of the Therapist Neurodiversity Collective, I am proud to extend our full and enthusiastic support to the non-profit Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint.
This incredible organization is a beacon of hope for children and their families and a driving force for positive change in our educational system. Guy Stephens and his team of volunteers tirelessly advocate for eliminating the draconian and abusive practices of seclusion and restraint in schools.
The Alliance’s mission to reform punitive discipline and outdated behavioral management approaches aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering environments where neurodivergent individuals are respected, understood, and supported. Their work is not just about changing policies but transforming lives. By challenging the harmful practices that perpetuate the school-to-prison pipeline, they are paving the way for a future where every child is treated with dignity and compassion.
Sincerely,
Julie Roberts, M.S., CCC-SLP
CEO, Therapist Neurodiversity Collective
As an educator and a parent of kids with exceptionalities, I appreciate the work that AASR is doing to build awareness around the harm that seclusion and restraint cause in our schools. These practices are not only obsolete and ineffective, they traumatize our kids and educators. AASR's efforts to dispel disinformation, build capacity for proactive practices in schools, and support the families navigating seclusion and restraint are nothing short of heroic.
When I was nine and eleven, I was subjected to traumatizing restraint and seclusion at the hands of "emotional support" teachers/paraprofessionals and on two occasions a principal with a doctorate. In exchange for financing my free and appropriate public education elsewhere for the next six years, the affluent and "renowned" school district had my parents sign NDAs. Luckily you can't bind an 11-year-old to a contract. I spent those six years recovering from my childhood, telling everyone who would listen what happened in uncomfortable detail, and struggling, struggling to come to terms with what happened, living in fear of it happening again, horrified that it kept happening all around the country and no one seemed to care.
The summer I turned 21, the Alliance Against Restraint and Seclusion was founded. I saw Jennifer Litton Tidd protesting outside of her son's school each day. I told my story to Guy Stephens, the founder, and was taken more seriously than I ever felt before. For the first time in ten years I didn't feel so alone. Learning about the Keeping All Students Safe Act (KASSA), I started a letter writing campaign to representatives in my hometown and college town. However, that summer my family would be leaving the town i grew up in, the district that tortured me. Empowered by the work of the growing Alliance a few weeks before we hit the road, I researched and wrote a speech and confronted the school board with what they did to me, warned them about KASSA, and implored them to start taking compliance with state law and their own policies limiting the use of restraint and seclusion seriously. Nothing changed as a result, but I never felt more powerful in my life. It was the closest thing to the closure I yearned for since I was swept under the rug. I wouldn't have been able to do it without AASR's encouragement.
The Alliance Against Restraint and Seclusion gave me more opportunities to finally be heard. I spoke in one of their panel discussions, and blessed with the opportunity to speak in a senatorial briefing. They introduced me to researchers who heard my story and used it in their publications. I'm a top fan on their Facebook page and receive the validation from strangers around the world that I yearned for for over a decade. Despite KASSA continually stagnating in Congress, the work of AASR is what gives me hope and motivates me to carry on with my advocacy and my life.
In about five years the Alliance Against Restraint and Seclusion went from a simple Facebook page to an advocacy network leading the dialogue to end the practice that wrecked my childhood. My story probably won't differ much from other reviews. I'm honored to be among the earliest supporters and know that it's only going to get better from here. AASR changed my life. Thanks for everything!
Pushing back on a long standing narrative regarding restraint and seclusion and the “safety” it provides is upstream work. It isn’t easy and isn’t for the faint of heart. Guy and his alliance are not only informed and knowledgeable about all of the issues in this area, they are the kind of people who inspire other people. I legitimately thought I was alone and “the problem” and found a group that not only continues to guide me but whole heartedly embraced me. This organization has done amazing work and that work is far from over. I stand behind the alliance and our shared mission without any hesitation. Find the helpers… Guy and the alliances are the helpers.
I use the resources on their website constantly to help spread awareness to the wider population. I run a parent support group for neurodivergent and disabled learners. It started in 2013 and has 27K members. Having AASR's resources has helped me tremendously. Guy's videos and interviews are very helpful.
I have personal experience and witnessed seclusion and restraint myself. Frederick County Maryland Public Schools was investigated by the DOJ for violations of civil rights in regards to restraint and seclusion.
As bad as it is, I also like to point out that children who are witnessing poor behavior by adults turn into helpless bystanders that can not resist, or rebel. Even if it doesn't happen to them, they are still traumatized and may internalize the false message that the child being restrained is "bad" or that it could happen to them making them fearful, which interrupts their readiness to learn.
These policies leave a trail of carnage. Guy Stevens is so friendly and gifted at drawing attention to this problem and finding reasonable alternatives like Ross Greene's approach, and others.
If you ask Chatgpt what school districts have been investigated by the DOJ for violations of restraint and seclusion, it will give you partial list.
AASR is a wonderful organization. They have a lot of resources in videos, articles, and more. Guy has given a lot great advice to help in my advocacy to end seclusion and reduce restraint in my state, as well as directing me in helping my family when it comes to our experiences with it. He is a truly kind man who really cares. Without AASR I would be doing this on my own and would not have as much knowledge or support. They are making so much positive disruptive change and it’s amazing!
The Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint consistently goes above and beyond advocating for vulnerable kids. They advocate for a more neuroscience-informed approach to supporting kids (and their behavior) and are true champions in advocating against secluding or restraining any child. This is an outstanding organzation that prioritizes kids and supports compassionate, collaborative interventions for struggling children.
The alliance against seclusion and restraint is an amazing nonprofit! While I think it’s outrageous that it even needs to be around, as this shouldn’t be happening in schools, the amount of passion, love and support within the group is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Guy and Courtney work extremely hard to get this cause out into the public and educating people on the harms of seclusion and restraint in our schools. Us volunteers do our part in assisting this mission of educating and reforming for a better world for our children.
This org does great work in raising awareness and educating the public about alternatives to seclusion and restraint. They help bring people together from many walks of life to help keep children safe. I have included a photo of myself wearing an AASR t-shirt that lists the 5 principles: trauma-informed, neuroscience-aligned, neurodiversity-affirming, relationship-driven, and collaborative.
AASR is so critical for the culture shift we need away from abusing children in schools through seclusion and restraint and the behaviorist practices that lead to it. I am so thankful for all the work they do uplifting national experts on more humane ways to support our children and specifically our neurodivergent and disabled children who are being abused and pushed out of schools across the country at record rates.
Guy and his team are absolutely amazing! Guy has been so generous with his time and knowledge as he has helped me navigate advocating against seclusion and restraint in my school district. The work he is doing is literally saving lives! Can not say enough great things about the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint! 5 stars is not enough!
I first became aware of the Alliance Against Seclusion & Restraint on Social Media when I saw their poignant posts about supporting educators in developing practices based on current neuroscience. I then joined a book study and loved the community of volunteers and participants so much, I joined as a volunteer! Guy Stephens, Courtney, and the volunteers have supported my family through recovery after school restraints and helped us to develop advocacy skills. Please consider supporting our work or joining us in making schools safer for our kids!