In May 2023, 10-year-old Caleb Killingsworth, an autistic child, was restrained and put in the back of a patrol car twice within the same week by sheriff’s deputies in Lake Orion, Michigan. School staff called law enforcement after Caleb walked away from Pine Tree Center, a school for emotionally impaired students. Students with behavioral disabilities at specialized schools often display behaviors such as screaming, swearing, running away, and aggression.
Critics say that specialized schools like Pine Tree are failing students by resorting to restraining and calling law enforcement, rather than providing appropriate support and intervention. Law enforcement visits are more frequent at schools with emotional impairment programs compared to traditional schools. Parents like Caleb’s mother are concerned about the impact of such incidents on their children’s well-being and mental health.
The use of police involvement at these schools has raised scrutiny. The Detroit Free Press found incidents where students were restrained, secluded, or faced grave consequences like being handcuffed or zapped with a stun gun. There is a lack of proper interventions for students with emotional disabilities, leading to repeated crises and emergency responses.
Experts suggest the need for more behavioral health interventions and support that do not involve law enforcement. School systems that rely on level systems and point-based programs may not be suitable for children with behavioral disabilities and can lead to stigma and shame. Ultimately, families like Caleb’s choose to move their child to a traditional middle school to avoid the shortcomings of specialized emotional impairment programs. There is a need for a more comprehensive and supportive approach to address the needs of students with behavioral disabilities in Michigan schools.
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