Sometimes behaviors of concern can present such a big risk to safety that a special kind of strategy is needed. These strategies are referred to as restrictive practices because they restrict someone’s rights or freedoms. People with disabilities who are supported by disability service providers and engage in challenging behaviors that are perceived to be harmful to themselves or others are at risk of being subjected to restrictive practices.

Restrictive practices are defined as any practices or interventions that restrict the person’s freedom of movement or access to particular preferred activities. Affection Disability Care (ADC) is committed to helping individuals with special behaviors and building support systems and processes that guarantee the safest and most positive support is delivered to people with restrictive practices in place. If you have a positive behavior support plan that includes restrictive practices, we’ll contact you to discuss the best and most suitable approach for managing your supports. While implementing behavior support plans, ADC encourages the use of restrictive practices for participating participants only when their use:

1. Reduces the risk of harm to the participant and others.
2. Is clearly defined in their behavior support plan.
3. Is a last resort.
4. Is intended for the shortest possible time.

Regulated restrictive practices include:

• Seclusion – keeping a person alone in a room or another physical space, at any time of the day or night, which they are unable to leave of their own free will.
• Chemical restraint – the use of a chemical substance to influence a person’s behavior.
• Mechanical restraint – when a device is used to prevent, restrict, or subdue a person’s movement to influence their behavior. This does not mean the use of devices for therapeutic or non-behavioral purposes.
• Physical restraint – when physical force is used to prevent, restrict, or subdue movement of a person’s body, or part of their body, to influence their behavior. This does not apply to hands-on techniques used to guide or redirect a person away from potential harm or injury.
• Environmental restraints – restricting a person’s free access to all parts of their environment, including items and activities.

Practical examples of restrictive practices include:

1. Limiting the intake of particular food, e.g., fast food or some beverages, in order to facilitate the behavior plan described by the participant’s prescriber.
2. Preventing a person from having easy access to food because they have an uncontrollable urge to eat.
3. Monetary controlling of people with disabilities so that they do not spend all their savings.
4. Restricting the free movement of a person with challenging behaviors in order to keep them and others safe.
5. Using a special vehicle seat belt guard to prevent a person from becoming unsafe.
6. Limiting the time spent by a person in the shower so they don’t use up all the hot water, or burn themselves due to the use of hot water only.
7. Restricting independent travel due to the risk of getting lost.
8. Restricting the access of a person with challenging behavior to sharp objects like knives, blades, screwdrivers, etc.
9. When we give specific medication (PRN) to reduce or control concerning behaviors that place the person or others at risk of injury, we are restricting their free choice.

To ensure that all the participants and their families have a safe environment, ADC is committed to providing quality support for people who require the use of restrictive practices. We can go the extra mile to meet the specific requirements for individuals with challenging behaviors. With the compassionate implementation of positive behavior support plans, restrictive practice authorizations, medication administration, and many more, we are committed to bringing changes in the lives of people with challenging behaviors.

For more info, please contact us.