INDIANA SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Policy S-08
This policy is designed to provide ISBVI employees, contractors, and volunteers clear direction and expectations when it is necessary to intervene in a student’s specific pattern of undesirable, non-productive behavior. The purpose of this policy is to ensure student, contractor, volunteer and staff safety, and a positive learning environment. This policy requires ISBVI staff to apply only positive, safe, and approved non-aversive techniques and instructional strategies to teach student skills. Some students may require a formalized and comprehensive behavior intervention plan that must be 1) approved by a case conference committee; 2) incorporated in a student’s individualized education program; and 3) based on an on-going functional behavior assessment in compliance with Title 511 IAC Article 7-17-38 and 511 IAC 7-29-5.
Aversive techniques are prohibited by this policy. Examples of aversive techniques are punishments that have the potential to cause a student pain or discomfort such as, but not limited to, corporal punishment; subjecting a student to the smell of noxious substances; squirting water in a student’s face, or blindfolding or restraining a student’s physical movement as a form of punishment. Aversive techniques are used whenever a student is engaging in an undesirable behavior. Since the student dislikes and finds the aversive technique repugnant, the intended outcome is that the behavior will decrease or stop.
Physical restraint of students is allowed in this policy only by staff who have received training in approved safe human hold techniques when this “last resort” intervention strategy is 1) part of a behavior intervention plan per Title 511 Article 7-17-38 and 511 IAC 7-29-5; or
2) implemented in an emergency situation in which students are endangering themselves, others, or property.
The ISBVI Board directs the ISBVI Superintendent to ensure staff, contractor, and
volunteer compliance with this policy by:
1) Developing ISBVI Administrative Directives and Procedures to implement the ISBVI Board Policy on Behavior Intervention which shall serve as notice to staff, contractors, and volunteers, and clearly delineate and detail their responsibilities, expectations, and procedures to follow;
2) Providing employees, contractors, and volunteers written notice and documenting their awareness and receipt of this ISB Board Policy on Behavior Intervention and accompanying ISBVI Administrative Directives and Procedures;
3) Providing initial and periodic on-going training to employees, contractors, and volunteers on the ISBVI Board Policy on Behavior Intervention and accompanying ISBVI Administrative Directives and Procedures.
ISBVI Policy S-08
Reviewed and Approved: 1/11/10
ISBVI Superintendent: ____________________________ ____________
Date
ISBVI Board Chair: ____________________________ ____________
Date