'Time-out' room can be a good option

I am the parent of a 19-year-old son with Down syndrome and severe autism, and I am 100% in favor of the locked "time-out room." When used appropriately (key word), it de-escalates students' aggressive and volatile emotions. It keeps the students and staff safe from harm and once calm, they go back to the classroom.

If my son, who is non verbal, starts to become aggressive, destructive and screams, I prefer that he is escorted out of the classroom and into the time-out or Zen room. It doesn't matter what you call it. Within 10 minutes he is a much calmer kid. He loves the quiet. It usually is padded, because many kids that act this way hit their heads on floors and walls.

This is the same reason there are no toys or other things in the room that they can injure themselves with. Also when a student is angry, emotional and aggressive, the safest place for them is the time-out room, alone. Staff can be outside the door but not inside where they themselves can become a target.

If a school doesn't have a room like this and you have a student that is aggressive and you put them out in the hallway, they usually will continue this behavior and upset every student within earshot in nearby classrooms, causing potential issues to the other children. When rooms are used appropriately, they keep everyone safe and in a better place. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water for a few school personnel that have misused time-out rooms for punishment. For our kids that need it, these rooms are a Godsend, keeping them and staff safe.

Shellise Janus

Carpentersville