What is the St. Regis Mohawk School investigating?

St. Regis Mohawk School is being investigated for allegedly using a wooden 'timeout' box to confine special needs students.

Who is Rhonda Garrow and what is her complaint?

Rhonda Garrow is the mother of an autistic child who discovered her son was placed in a wooden confinement box at school, leading her to file a legal claim.

What actions are being taken against the Salmon River Central School District?

The school district is facing police and state education department investigations, and a planned lawsuit over alleged civil rights violations.

Home / Education / NY School's 'Timeout Box' for Autistic Child Sparks Outrage

NY School's 'Timeout Box' for Autistic Child Sparks Outrage

16 Jan

•

Summary

Wooden box used for autistic child's behavior intervention plan.
Police and state education department are actively investigating.
Family plans to sue school district for civil rights violations.

NY School's 'Timeout Box' for Autistic Child Sparks Outrage

Photos of a wooden "timeout" box, described as a dog cage, used at the St. Regis Mohawk School in upstate New York have triggered an investigation. The box was reportedly used as a behavioral measure for a non-verbal autistic third-grader, with his mother, Rhonda Garrow, only discovering its use recently. This discovery prompted legal action, with Garrow filing a notice of claim against the Salmon River Central School District for alleged civil rights violations.

Both the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police and the New York Department of Education are investigating the use of these padded wooden boxes, referred to in the child's behavior intervention plan as a "workstation." The district's superintendent, Stanley Harper, has acknowledged the existence of three such boxes. The family's legal team alleges the box was moved with the child between schools and was used not only for behavioral issues but also for eating meals and completing schoolwork.