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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · 1d

A former doorman from Blyth teaching parents? You couldn’t make it up. What families need is real training on preventing or stopping escalation in the first place, not this circus! Only in England .. sigh www.bbc.com/news/article...

Northumberland parents learn self defence against their children

Some parents say help is not available quickly enough to deal with violence from their children.

www.bbc.com

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Reposted by ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion

Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 3d

Being “interest-led” isn’t enough.
Monotropism means honouring deep attention, autonomy & sensory safety, not weaponising interests for compliance.

https://autisticrealms.com/why-interest-led-isnt-enough-embracing-monotropism-neuro-affirming-practice/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · 2d

Just over a week to go!

We’re looking forward to presenting “Held Down, Held Back: Restraint and Seclusion in England’s Schools” for Lives in the Balance with Dr. Ross Greene on October 21, 2025.

It’s free to attend, can sign up here: tinyurl.com/2sadbes7 @livesinthebalance.bsky.social #CMHAC25

A dimly lit classroom shows several students seated at desks, facing forward. In the foreground, a young boy in a school uniform sits apart from his peers with his head bowed. His outline glows faintly in ICARS orange, highlighting his isolation and distress. A shadowed teacher figure stands at the front of the room. The slide text reads: “HELD DOWN, HELD BACK — Restraint and Seclusion in England’s Schools.” Logos for Lives in the Balance and ICARS (International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion) appear in the lower corners, with the caption: “Lives in the Balance — Children’s Mental Health Advocacy Conference 2025.”

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · 20d

“This administration seems to care a lot about autism as a supposed epidemic,” said Colin Killick, the executive director of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. “It does not seem to care much at all about autistic people.” www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/u...

‘Autism Doesn’t Need a Cure’: Trump’s Message Rankles People Living With the Disability

www.nytimes.com

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · 20d

📄 Read the full statement and see the complete list of signatories here:
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/09/lead...
#NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

Leading Autism and Disability Organizations Call for Decision-Making based on Quality Science and Compassion for the Autism Community - Autistic Self Advocacy Network

Click here to read a plain language explainer of this statement. For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 Organizational Contacts: AAPD: Jess Davidson, [email protected]; 202-465-5528 AU...

autisticadvocacy.org

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · 20d

We stand with these organizations in demanding that government decisions about autism respect science, uphold compassion, and meaningfully involve the autistic community.

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · 20d

This statement, joined by AAPD, The Arc, AWN, and many others, rejects misinformation and calls for policy that includes autistic voices at the table. Not just present — central to every discussion that shapes autistic lives.

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · 20d

ASAN was founded in 2006 by Ari Ne’eman and Scott Robertson.
In 2010, President Obama appointed Ari to the National Council on Disability.
Today, ASAN also holds seats on federal autism committees.

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · 20d

🚨 Leading autism and disability organizations, led by ASAN, have issued a united call for decision-making grounded in quality science and compassion.
We are proud to be signatories to this statement. 🧵
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/09/lead...

Leading Autism and Disability Organizations Call for Decision-Making based on Quality Science and Compassion for the Autism Community - Autistic Self Advocacy Network

Click here to read a plain language explainer of this statement. For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 Organizational Contacts: AAPD: Jess Davidson, [email protected]; 202-465-5528 AU...

autisticadvocacy.org

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · 20d

In USA Today, Colin Killick, Executive Director of ASAN, calls out Trump and RFK Jr. for treating autism like a “plague to be eradicated.”

www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
There is no autism epidemic — autistic people need services, respect, and inclusion, not harmful “cures” or budget cuts.

I'm autistic. Trump and RFK Jr. must stop treating us like a plague to be eradicated.

Evidence for Trump's Tylenol claim is weak. Yet no prior administration has cared less about what either autism experts or autistic people have to say

usatoday.com

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · 29d

forms.gle/9eRMK74UHnz3...

Lived Experience of Seclusion / Isolation and Removal Rooms in England's Schools

We are collecting the lived experiences of parents, carers, and young people who have encountered the use of isolation booths, withdrawal rooms, or other forms of supervised or unsupervised removal in...

forms.gle

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · 29d

Has your child faced removal, isolation, or seclusion in an English school? Share your story in our anonymous survey. Link in comments. #AgainstRestraint

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · Aug 30

Thank you lectern. We stand behind you rightfully corrected!

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · Aug 30

So when the noise rises, remember: united together, behind the scenes, you are building something that lasts. No amount of noise can silence the truth of advocacy. Keep speaking, keep advocating! #AgainstRestraint

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · Aug 30

the mutual support we give one another, and the quiet drafting of policy. These are the unseen efforts that build real change. But we know the scoreboard is not social media clicks or chatter. It is children protected, families supported, and laws changed.

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · Aug 30

in being the ear for a mother or father trying to cope with the harm their family has endured, the direct advocacy for school meetings, the late-night research, the letters to bill patrons, the committee work, the campaign language, the testimony for lawmakers, the data gathered to expose harm..

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · Aug 30

To all the advocates, our friends and coalition partners: most of the real work does not happen on social media or in the spotlight.
Over the Labor Day weekend, while many paused to rest, you kept going.
With state legislative sessions about to open, the work continues, in the strategy calls ..

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · Aug 30

Advocacy is the bridge between injustice and action. It transforms silence into voice and resistance into change. #AgainstRestraint

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Reposted by ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion

Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · Aug 25

Here is the page with ideas for alternatives to ABA from @stimpunks.org

stimpunks.org/why/alternat...

Alternatives to ABA

ABA is bad, very bad. Here’s what to do instead.

stimpunks.org

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Reposted by ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion

Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · Aug 25

Very proud to be working with @stimpunks.org and helping this resource evolve. Important work for our community.
Thank you for resharing @thinkingautism.com

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · Aug 25

OK, so what are the alternatives to ABA therapy? @stimpunks.org has a manifesto:

stimpunks.org/why/alternat...

#autism #autistic #neurodiversity

Alternatives to ABA

ABA is bad, very bad. Here’s what to do instead.

stimpunks.org

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · Aug 16

Advocacy needs leaders.

Those who lead create change. Those who follow only echo it.

Be the one who lights the path, not the one walking in someone else’s shadow.

Choose to lead. 🧡

ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · Aug 14

We’ll highlight the urgent need for reform and share ongoing work to protect children’s rights across the UK. Sign up at the link above we look forward to seeing you! #AgainstRestraint @livesinthebalance.bsky.social

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · Aug 14

The legal landscape across the UK.Data analysis and lived experience testimonies submitted to the Equality and Human Rights Commission Inquiry into restraint in schools.
Findings from The ICARS Report England (2023). Parliamentary evidence on the financial drivers of the restraint industrial complex

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · Aug 14

This is the world’s leading global conference on disciplinary practices, and the use of restraint and seclusion, in educational settings.
Our session will examine:

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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · Aug 14

In 2023 and 2024 the conference brought together an amazing lineup of leaders from U.S. Senators and Representatives to state lawmakers, advocates, researchers, educators, journalists, and lived experience experts, all committed to ending harmful practices and advancing children’s rights.

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