Autism restraints 'not uncommon': Disability advocates

By bobb |

By Sacha Payne

Disability advocates say revelations of a cage built for an autistic child at a Canberra school are just the tip of the iceberg.

The Principal of the school, which cannot be named due to privacy reasons, has been stood down as an investigation is launched.

The cage at the Canberra school was exposed following a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Images obtained by SBS show what some schools use as so-called withdrawal areas for autistic children.

Graeme Innes says 'appalling' cage practice not one-off, calls for inquiry on education of children with disabilities

By bobb |

In the wake of revelations an autistic Canberra student was confined in a cage-like structure, former disability discrimination commissioner Graeme Innes says such abuses are widespread and has called for a broad inquiry into the treatment of children with disabilities in the nation's schools.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten immediately backed Mr Innes' call, declaring: "we cannot assume this is a one off case".

Mr Innes, who served as the nation's disability discrimination commissioner from 2005 until last year, said such "appalling" incidents were not confined to the ACT.

Use of cage for boy with autism at Canberra school prompts call for national education standard

By bobb |

Autism experts have lamented reports a 10-year-old boy was placed in a cage at a Canberra primary school, saying it signals a national standard for autism education in mainstream schools is urgently required.

ACT Education Minister Joy Burch confirmed the unacceptable "withdrawal space" had been built in a classroom to deal with a student with challenging behaviour.