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I've never heard of a body sock, but the article says it is primary meant for autistic children - and the manufacturer says it's a way for children to explore 3 dimentional space.

Apparently it was used on a boy who was throwing a tantrum as punishment - or to calm him down (it's stated both ways, hard to know which is which).

Anyone heard of this before? Been in one?

The website has a link to a video of someone in one.

Body Sock Article

Quote:
Boy Put In 'Body Sock' At School Outrages Parent
Family Considers Lawsuit Against School Board

A family in Pinellas County, Fla., whose son was put into a large "body sock" by teachers as punishment, is considering suing the school board after an investigation found the sack was used appropriately on the boy.

Recently, some school pre-kindergarten teachers came under fire when parent Patrick Holt complained that a "body sock" was used on his 4-year-old son without his permission.

"I don't like it at all," Holt said. "I don't think it should be used on anybody."

The manufacturers said the "body sock" is designed to help children explore three-dimensional space. And, an occupational therapist said the "body sock" is primarily meant for autistic children.

However, Holt's son is not disabled.

Pinellas County School Board released the results of its investigation into the controversial teaching tool Monday.

"Teachers behaved in an appropriate manner in responding to a situation where a student needed to be calmed down for the safety and security of all the students in the classroom," Pinellas County School Board member Andrea Zahn said.

The School Board said the teachers admitted the parents were not aware of the body sock and its use on their child.

Zahn said the information about the body sock will be part of orientation next year.

The Holt family said they strongly disagree with the board's findings and have hired an attorney.

Lienda Balla

I saw the strange item being sold online somewhere. Wierd. How the heck can someone explore space with that? I don't see how on earth that could calm down a kid either.
exactly. he'd prolly suffocate if it wasn't ventilated. also, it'd make him prolly clautraphobic(sp?). i'd make me prolly.. Tongue
Body SOCK!

I think I will mix up shock with this one.

Anyway, these body socks don't seem so bad.
Oh, for crying out loud, Erkolos.  I thought it was going to be something naughty.

I'm such a pervert.

Those look like my old Buster Brown socks.  To go with my old Buster Brown shoes.

Do they even make those any more?  

My version of a body sock is my mummy sleeping bag.  I feel like it's a cocoon, but I get into it willingly.  I think I would go mad if I lost control of my body because someone deemed me uncontollable.

How about a "mad room," with padded, sound proof walls, and boppy dolls and soft bats, and let the kid wear himself out so long as he or she is not causing self harm?  Then talk to the kid post-hissy fit, and try to find ways for him or her to control their anger in healthier ways.  All of these medieval control devices just seem primitive and cruel.

Metta, Jaye

erkolos Wrote:
Body SOCK!

I think I will mix up shock with this one.

Anyway, these body socks don't seem so bad.



Must have been a pretty small kid.

LOL.

I don't see how something like that can calm down a kid or keep him from hurting himself. It's basically a bag made out of fabric--not tight enough to be either calming or restraining. Actually, put a kid in that thing around anything hard, and he's likely to trip, fall, and smack his head on something.

I really don't see the point of the thing.

The fabric looks thin enough to easily breathe through, so I don't think it's actually abusive. Well, it could be humiliating for the kid, because it does hamper movement--to a level that is probably just enough to frustrate without calming.

Torture device? No. Useless? Totally.
Is it like a strait jacket?
is there such a thing as a huge sock that people get into and "calm down"?
Maybe the boy was in danger of harming himself and others and that is why he was restrained.
Abuse is often in the eye of the abused - for someone who needs a body sock to calm down it could be a benefit, for someone who panics when they are confined, it could feel like torture.

In any case, a parent should always be made aware of ALL punishement procedures and/or calming devices etc. that could/will be used on their child before it is done.

I'm not appalled by the device, but I would be rather vicious if anyone did anything questionable as punishment to my children without asking my expressed permission. I'm just that protective...
Yes, the parents should definitely have been informed of the possibility; and the child as well. Punishment doesn't work unless the kid knows that it's a consequence that automatically happens if he steps over the lines. Capriciously disciplining a kid just makes him afraid.

A note: Remember we're not talking about an Aspie kid here; this is an NT kid whose temper tantrums probably aren't near as bad as Aspie meltdowns. (Probably.)
I wonder how they got him into the body sock in the first place without using a certain amount of force. He must have really been acting up for them to think a body sock was a good idea. I agree that there should have been an explanation about why it would be used and the parents told that was a consequence for really bad behaviour.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHp-PqtvBU8

I also found this on Youtube about the same subject.
ah,these things are also known by the name of 'zentai' suits.
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