School district aims to ease concerns over 'isolation booth'
LONGVIEW, Wash. – A concerned mother who posted photos of an “isolation booth” in a Longview elementary school on Facebook said she wanted other parents to know how the school uses the space.
Ana Bate said her son saw the booth in use at Mint Valley Elementary School, and had questions.
The school principal said the padded room is used for students who have behavioral disabilities.
Parents of eight or nine students at the school have given permission for their kids to be placed in the booth if necessary.
“How come they’re not providing documentation about how this ‘therapeutic booth’ is beneficial?” said Bate. “Show me some real numbers. Show me something from the medical community that says more times than not and all the documentation that backs it up. Don’t tell me ‘well, their parents said we could do it.’”
The superintendent of Longview Public Schools said the booth is an effective therapy tool for students with special needs, and has been for years.
District spokeswoman Sandy Catt told KATU News students whose parents gave permission are placed in the booth when they are acting in a way that could be harmful to themselves or others.
None of the parents who gave the district permission to place their kids in the booth has complained, Catt said. But because of the many complaints from other parents, the district is reviewing how the booth is used.
“I believe that room has served a good therapeutic purpose and there may be improvements,” said Catt. “I think we need to look at the information that’s been gathered to determine where to go from here.”
She said some of the eight or nine kids voluntarily go inside the booth for a break from stimulation.
State laws in Oregon and Washington allow schools to use “seclusion” or “isolation” rooms under specific circumstances, and only when every other way of dealing with a child who is a danger to himself or others has failed.
Bate said her 10-year-old son, who is a “general student” at the school, was distraught after he witnessed several students being placed in the booth.
Her son went to the office Monday after he was roughhousing on the playground, Bate said. She said he sat near the booth for at least four hours, and saw three students being sent into the booth.
“[He was] thinking it was scary, it was abusive, are they gonna do this to me?” Bate said.
Bate got photos of the booth the next day and posted them on Facebook. Since posting, Bate said she’s received everything from high praise to harsh criticism, including many messages claiming she had no right to judge unless she had a student with special needs.
“I have a 20-year-old daughter who’s actually been institutionalized, medicated heavily, ADD, ADHD, RAD, OCD, among other things,” Bate said. “I never had to have anybody put her in a box. I didn’t have any problems dealing with the situation, so I do know both sides.”
Bate said she hopes the Longview district stops using the booth.
“If you feel like you have to lock a child up, they shouldn’t be in public school,” said Bate. “I don’t think it gets any clearer than that.”
Mother says school put her son in the room without permission
Candace Dawson, who now lives in Marysville, Wash., has a son who used to go to Mint Valley Elementary three years ago. She said the school put her child in the booth without her permission.
"He said that's the naughty room," Dawson told KATU News Wednesday. "That's what he called it. He said when kids are naughty they get put in there."
She said she had no idea the school had the isolation room until she went online and saw her son's old school was in the news. She asked her son about it. She said he got very uncomfortable and told her not only did he recognize the pictures of it online but his teacher forced him to spend time there.
Dawson said her son does have some behavior problems but said she would never OK the school to send her son to this room.
Dawson said she would file a complaint Wednesday afternoon.
According to the district late in the evening, it does have new information that brings to light something like Dawson's complaint but it would not confirm that Dawson did in fact make a complaint Wednesday afternoon.
KATU's Melanie Wingo, Bob Heye and Emily Sinovic contributed to this story.
I'm a retired principal, and I wish my school had a safe room for students who needed a quiet, safe place to get away. Over the years there were a number who would have benefited. One child would crawl under my desk several times a week to get away. We had an agreement that i would not talk to her when she was there. Another child destroyed my office screaming that she wanted everyone to leave her alone. Sadly she had to be restrained for her own safety. Don't judge what you don't know. A safe room away from the pressures of the world is just what some children (and adults) crave.
Anna Bate is a liar, Her son was the one that assaulted another child. It was Anna's son that was a danger and he had to be placed in that room. KATU I AM very angry at you for not covering the story. in its entirety.
NOW GO AND INTERVIEW THE ASSAULTED CHILD!
@lee986321 By the way did you know that there is a more recent article on this? It can be found here: http://www.katu.com/news/local/Longview-school-district-suspends-use-of-isolation-booths-Mint-Valley-box-181418881.html They've suspended the use of the isolation booths, so much for you being "in the know" regarding Longview.
 @JTesla  @lee986321 yeah and you apparently can not read your to damn busy, with me here to even see the remarks I made there..
@lee986321 Oh thatâs cute, you canât go more passive aggressive than that. Maybe I underestimated you, I never imagined that youâd be able to pull a âdamned if you do, damned if you donâtâ reply. I'll continue to comment on the KATU boards as I see fit, and I've never suggested that you do any different.
 @JTesla  @lee986321 Well you certainly act like one obsessed, if not then why are you still communicating with me? Just acknowledge I am a lost cause and be done with it. Just simply don't reply..if you think I am a fool spouting something off then so be it what do I care what you think?
@lee986321 Well look there, I'm not as obssessed with you as you'd like to imagine I am. I'll let you in on a little secret, I started rolling down to through the comments and saw your little libel and found it to be rather hypocritical, otherwise I don't care at all about this story.
@lee986321 Honestly I don't care what the story is... that box is wrong! It should never ever be used for any reason. The rest is gossip.
So, give me the gossip..lol. Why is she not saying...my son was put in that box!!!!!!
 @Dava  @lee986321 In truth it is not gossip, her son was the one that assulted a student, he was acting out, He was a danger to him and others..And I do agree with the box idea, I personally think the police should have been called and MHPs should have been on the scene, things broke down and they broke down fast.
I have also had the time to talk to some one that has full insight on the situation.
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As for the Box, I too wish there was something better and I beleive that there is. But, when a student Such as Ana's son gets to the point of being violent then there needs some additional checks and balances in the system.
I am in no way backing away from the "Box" from being wrong.
What I am stating is that when a student becomes a clear and present danger to others, there needs to be a way to secure them until the police, MHPS, or other specially trained people can come and get them.
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What I want to know is responsible when Ana's son does bring harm to another student or winds up killing them? How can we prevent him from doing further damage? What is the mother doing to help him if anything?
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What I want to know is will my relative's Son/daughter be safe at Mint Valley?
What I can say is this mother suffered embarrassment that her child was capable of a horrific deed.
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As for the Box, I am going to research further, and Yes, I feel it is a bad thing to do to a kid.
But May I ask you one question..
Which would one rather have? A student who injured or killed another from throwing a desk at them, or a way to have prevented that situation from occurring in the first place? and lets leave the box out of the equation.. The Idea is to "think Out side the box"
@lee986321 I'm confused. You have kids, we've discussed that before. However, you obviously don't have any clue about how kids behave. Assault is a crime, rough housing is kids being kids. You make this too easy, but then you do seem to be a little slow on the uptake.
 @JTesla  @lee986321 Did I say arrested? Let me ask you this question, do oyu want a kid seriously injured or dead?
@lee986321 You want a little kid arrested now? Wait until the police arrest your kids for rough housing... sorry I mean assault.
 @JTesla  @lee986321 Yes Roguh housing and Assult is 2 different things ...gese..
@lee986321 "In truth it is not gossip, her son was the one that assulted a student" No DUH... did you even bother to read the article above? It stated as follows: "Her son went to the office Monday after he was roughhousing on the playground" Wow, you've uncovered the truth... that was already reported.
 @Dava oh and one quick thing, if there was a quake I would head for that box..If you take notice on how fortified it is..I would shed all my fears and go in it..It does look to be quake proof.
@lee986321 What lie did she tell? Remember the other day when you raged about "slander", when you actually meant libel? Yeah so how is she a liar again?
 @JTesla  @lee986321 I found out through another source what the real case is. I know that her Son was the one causing harm, I know in basic what occured and I know that there was another child that was assaulted. You see KATU only gave half the Story the failed to mention that Ana's son was a danger to all ..
Look I Jumped the gun on the room, thing as I had a bad experience.Â
But you do not know the full story as KATU had left some facts out.
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In this case the Source was "Tainted" she failed to state how and why her Son was places in the ISO Booth its self.
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Only half a truth was told. Yes her son was placed in that room with out her permission, but it was an extreme situation and very violent one.
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Longview being a small town things spread quickly. Every one almost knows every one here. And Ana will have to face the piper.
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Like I said for me this triggered some really bad memories.
As fo you thinking you know everything, I highly advise you to back off t his one cause your going to look like a fool should KATU investigates this further and it is found I am right. I doubt KATU will do any real investigation on this . I know they read the boards .
But if you think I am flapping my gums on this one, you would be sorely mistaken.
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This Ana person has some realities she has to meat.
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@lee986321 Checking the article again... I don't see anyplace where she claimed to be innocent. You know you'd be able to put forth YOUR ideas much more easily if you didn't make stuff up. So yes you did make a foolish statement, don't worry I'm sure she won't sue you for libel.
 @JTesla  @lee986321 Well that was a foolish statement you made, Well, think as you sih and may, your of no importance any ways. I care less what you think and I will stick with the facts at hand. Ana is not as innocent as she claims to be, and as for the news media? They did not cover the injured party now did they?
@lee986321 I know sarcasm, I donât believe that you do. âAnna Bate is a liarâ that is not sarcasm. âsingle sideâ? KATU covered both sides, try watching the news sometime, you might learn something. How do you know I donât live in Longview? Granted, I havenât at any time portrayed myself as knowing âthe situation in fullâ, I just pointed out that it is rather hypocritical to cry âslanderâ in one thread and turn around and make an accusation of someone being a liar without a shred of proof in another. Finally, Lee986321, please stop making stuff up. You obviously can't string together a thought on this topic if you have to keep resorting to putting words in my mouth. Half the garbage you typed up there is simple fantasy that you've made up in your own head.
 @JTesla  @lee986321 your the on who is delusional, if you think for on mineute Ana is innocent and if you can't differentiate between a sarcastic remark from a real remark, then you need some serious help .Â
Perhaps you need some help in understanding between sarcasm and such?
Oh and by the way, Seeing how you like to twist what people say and such.. And who has a worse problem? me or you having to find me on KATUÂ so you just jab a few, sounds like you might have some issue to contend with your self. I should think.
But hey if you are all for the guilty getting away with telling a single side to make them selves look like a victim, be my guest, Just don't come crawling to KATU when in the future we read of Ana's son for seriously injuring some one and her failure to take control of her own life. Her son has already injured one person it is only a matter of time rather on news or not her son will wind up having severe issues because she is lacking the were with all to do so.
For all intent and purpose, you do not live here in Longview and You have no clue as to the going ons here. Just as I do not live in Portland and do not know all the going ons there.
So please refrain from thinking you know the situation in full when you really don't.
@lee986321 Wow youâre delusional. I do not think I know everything, I donât think you are flapping your gums, and I donât have a horse in this race. I am questioning you calling her a liar, and so far you have not backed up the claim of her being a liar. Remember the cautions YOU put out there regarding libel just yesterday. Again, you are arguing against yourself, maybe some soul searching is in order.
Ana Bate needs to do some research on how to deal with certain special needs kids. Some can become violent to themselves or to others. She's an outsider, who has no knowledge of mental health issues with children with mental disabilities. Autistic children can easily become overly stimulated and need a time out, with no noise and no visual stimulation. Perhaps Ana Bate could have done some investigation before starting this mess, or done without all the attention she's getting from this, which I have a feeling is what's most important to her.
@RTG Ana Bates has a child with RAD. Do you know what that is and what that means? God forbid that I would have to pick autism or RAD. I would pick autism any day of the week.
As I said to Mrsroadkill there are other ways. Please read about sensory rooms. Other states use them. They are working. They help the child find themselves again.
 @Dava  @RTG DAVA, I found out that it Was Anna's Child Looks almost like Dee Neal that was a danger and the school had no authority, She reminds me of a Person Dee Neal , Who's family had a son with an explosive temper.
 @Dava  @RTG If the child indeed was throwing desks, chairs and assaulting other students, I think the school may have defaulted to "We have a situation, React, react, react, I have no Idea what would happen to a child with RAD when placed in this environment all I know is that the mother is lying and she needs to be called on it. I think after this she her self will be Under CPS investigation.
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Ana Bates son was the danger, he was out of control.
How ever I do believe something will come out of this bad situation. the part that was true is that she did not give the school permission to contain her child, but her child was a clear and present danger to all that was around him. 0but the school had to do something. they couldn't just let Ana's child harm more students. To me this is a Mother refusing to accept responsibility for her actions or in actions of her son she is responsible for this mess, She needs to deal with the truth the sooner the better. I admit I jumped the gun, but because I had a bad experience. with such a room. that has left me devastated to this day.
@Dava@RTG
Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) is described in clinical literature as a severe and relatively uncommon disorder that can affect children.[1][2] RAD is characterized by markedly disturbed and developmentally inappropriate ways of relating socially in most contexts. It can take the form of a persistent failure to initiate or respond to most social interactions in a developmentally appropriate wayâknown as the "inhibited form"âor can present itself as indiscriminate sociability, such as excessive familiarity with relative strangersâknown as the "disinhibited form". The term is used in both the World Health Organization's International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10)[3] and in the DSM-IV-TR, the revised fourth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).[4] In ICD-10, the inhibited form is called RAD, and the disinhibited form is called "disinhibited attachment disorder", or "DAD". In the DSM, both forms are called RAD; for ease of reference, this article will follow that convention and refer to both forms as reactive attachment disorder.
RAD arises from a failure to form normal attachments to primary caregivers in early childhood. Such a failure could result from severe early experiences of neglect, abuse, abrupt separation from caregivers between the ages of six months and three years, frequent change of caregivers, or a lack of caregiver responsiveness to a child's communicative efforts
I am sorry but this lady is an idiot. She says she has dealt with a special needs child... she has never dealt with my 7 year old who is smart as a whip but also has major rage issues due to his aspergers and ADHD. I am OK with the box and his school has one and when my child is hitting or kicking the teachers orthrowing furniture around... hell yes put him the box until he calms down and can actually talk to him. You say my child shouldn't be in public school, then where should he be? At home not being educated? That's why the law was put in place so he could get an education. His school and teachers are the best. They are helping him learn how to be in the general public and teaching him how to be socially acceptable along with the normal reading, writing, and arithmetic.
@mrsroadkill Sorry I have more to say to you. Do you really believe that the box is only being used if the child is hitting, kicking and throwing furniture? Do you think that her son is lying about what he saw?
I'm not saying that they are bad teachers and bad aids, but what I am saying is that box becomes a crutch. It becomes to easy for a teacher and her aids to say.... if you don't sit down you are going to the box. If you don't do this or do that you are going to the box.
And another thing... is that what they call it when speaking to the children!?
@mrsroadkill Why does it have to be a box..please read comments below. Why are other schools able to use different ways to handle our children? That box is not the answer. Please from one parent with a special needs child to another.... please read and understand that is not the way to handle your child.
My concern with this booth as a fire safety inspector is the safety of the child in the event of a fire. The door lock should be a magnetic hold close device that is automatically released in the event of a fire alarm or a power outage. To have a student mechanically locked in a room that they can not exit in the event of a fire is unsafe.Â
 @TTMartinWhat about child seats?
 @iamright555 What about them?
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An infant in a car seat with the parent or guardian in the car, has no comparison to a youth locked in room out of sight in the corner of an office. If the fire starts in a piece of office equipment the youth could be easily forgotten in the ensuing panic and confusion.
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As I stated there is current technology to make the situation safer. There are magnetic hold closed locks that are used regularly that automatically unlock when the electricity goes out or fire alarm is triggered.
Perhaps people need to check this out as well.
http://tdn.com/lifestyles/life-works-space-nurtures-children-with-sensory-disorders/article_e47a2c00-8287-11e1-ab7d-0019bb2963f4.html What do think of this DAVA?
@lee986321 I think a sensory room is what is needed. Doesn't need to be big. Also using a split door. The bottom part can lock. this is the link I have been posting.
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-room.html
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@Dava I don't know about your school system, but ours is out of money. This is a costly undertaking, without the money to do it.
@RTG The school gets paid extra for each child they have with special needs. So, that money needs to go to what it was attended for.... taking care of our kids. Â
"They may be over-stimulated or under-stimulated," she said. "The equipment here helps them regulate their sensory system."
This is what schools need to invest in not those dam boxes.
@LusciousDCÂ I'm going to ignore your dumb ass comment.
 @lee986321 As schools are even now struggling with being able to provide the basic study material; do you really think they can afford these? Really? I worked with ADHD kids. These rooms calmed them down and we were able to talk to them. Unless you've seen them used, you really can't make a judgement. But then again, if Parents actually parented their kids and not let the kids rule the house, they may be able to teach then how to behave.
My family's been to " Life Works Sensory" gym and it is amazing. in this environment kids are kids, and they have hand outs about Sensory Challenges as well. Oh and the doors lock from the out side and have to be accessed from inside to get in, this is for security, we can go out but, you have to log in.
 I don't see why Schools can't use this kind of system or the System that DAVA has linked to. both are good and better the contraption shown.
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Well that parent has her 15 minutes of fame.
If the parent has chosen to put their child into the school it is their right under the law. Maybe the law should be changed, but don't make the job of the schools even harder than it already is by pointing your finger at them. Talk to your congress-person about it. Point your finger at Public Law 94-142.
 @Michael B. Brown I'm not sure I get what you're saying. Are you saying that if a parent chooses to send their child to public school, that the school can do whatever they want to the child?
To parents that think this BOX is OK.
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http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-room.html
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http://www.thewoodlands.org.uk/childrens/about-the-centre/the-sensory-room.php
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It's not OK... there are better ways to help your child find themselves again.
 @Dava thanks, these are what the schools need to invest in. not the boxes they have right now.
The news channels really need to quit reporting that the isolation box/room is used  as punishment or to stop "bad" behavior.  It's not true~  In order for the isolation box/room to be used,  the parents have agreed that it is beneficial for their children.  I am a parent of a Special Ed kiddo and I also work in a Special Ed Classroom in Oregon.  Apparently, it's different in Washington and I am not familiar with their policies but in Oregon, and where I work, there are policies and plans that need to be followed and everything is documented.  It is a last resort and rarely, if ever, used~
 @SpecialEd Parent And what about the part at the end of this article, which mentions a parent who's child was put into the room as punishment, without the parent ever being informed? And what about the children who have to see it being used without ever a proper explanation? These poor kids could be scared sick, not knowing if they're next to be thrown in there! Are you denying that these things happen?
 @SpecialEd Parent Apparently in Oregon parents do not have to give permission ahead of time - just in Washington (and there are many cases coming to light where parents did not give permission, but it was used).Â
First tracking ID, Palm scanning, now padded room? Ah the prison state is fast growing!