The University of the State of New York
Albany, NY 12234
E-mail Special Ed
,
74KB, 2 pg.) Superintendents of Schools
Superintendents of Special Act School Districts
Superintendents of State-Operated and State-Supported Schools
Executive Directors of Approved In-State and Out-of-State Private Schools
Executive Directors of Approved Preschool Programs
The Board of Regents of the New York State Education Department will continue a discussion at its May 2006 meeting on a policy relating to the use of aversive or noxious stimuli to reduce or eliminate student behaviors. In preparation for this meeting, we are requesting that all public and private school-age and preschool programs, both in-state and out-of-state, serving New York State students with disabilities submit a response to the following information requests.
- Do any of the educational/residential programs in your school/agency use any form of aversive or noxious stimuli to reduce or eliminate maladaptive behaviors?
- If the answer to question #1 is yes, provide an operational definition of the term “aversive therapy” as used by your school/agency and attach a description of how aversive or noxious stimuli are used.
- If applicable, provide a copy of the school’s/agency’s written policy on the use of aversive or noxious stimuli.
Attached are examples of aversive or noxious stimuli that should be considered in your responses.
If you have not already responded to this request, it is important that you do so immediately. You may submit your response by facsimile to the attention of Patricia Geary at (518) 402-3582 or by e-mail to pgeary@nysed.gov. Please identify your school/agency and a contact person in your reply. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. Questions regarding this request may be directed to Ms. Geary at 518-473-2878.
Attachment
Examples of Aversive or Noxious Stimuli
- Noxious, painful, intrusive stimuli or activities intended to induce pain such as hitting, slapping, pinching, kicking, hurling, strangling, shoving, or other similar stimulus
- Any form of noxious, painful or intrusive spray or inhalant
- Any form of noxious tastes
- Electric shock
- Water spray to the face
- Pinches and deep muscle squeezes
- Withholding sleep, shelter, bedding, bathroom facilities, clothing, food or drink or essential nutrition or hydration as part of mealtimes
- Withholding bathroom facilities, visitation or communication with family
- The use of chemical restraints instead of positive programs or medical treatments
- The placement of a child unsupervised or unobserved in a room from which the student cannot exit without assistance
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