Lisa Palese

Lisa Palese

School Administrator
Executive Director/Mid-Valley Sped Cooperative

”We need to meet each of our students where they are and adjust our approach, support, and mindset to do everything we can to support them in a compassionate, supportive way.”

Lessons Learned

• Behavior is communication. It is our job to teach students communication skills that allow them to communicate their needs safely.
• Leaders need to support and collaborate with their team to ensure they have training, the tools, and support they needs to support complex learners.

Resources Developed

• IAASE Presentation on Restraint & Time Out Reduction
• I added most of the links at the end of the presentation on the “tools page.”
• We follow the guidelines set up by ISBE for Restraint/Time-Out- one of the presentations I linked is one we used for our staff to ensure the guidelines are clear. We also speak with our families about these state guidelines as so many new students come here sharing that they faced restraint/time-out regularly before coming to our program. This question- does give me some thoughts, though, about making this more transparent as a part of our student/employee handbooks.

Suggested Resources

• Illinois State Board of Education
  Discusses and provides resources to limit the use of restraint and seclusion in the classroom.
• Mid-Valley Special Education
  Administrative staff that are working towards the reduction and response to maltreatment in special education.

Collaborative Areas of Interest

• Consulting with districts or Cooperatives on restraint/time-out reduction
• Working with ISBE to provide training and support in any way.
• Observing, supporting, and coaching teams on more effective, compassionate ways to support children with disabilities.