Seclusion in Developmental Disability Facilities
Including group homes, Developmental Disability Centers (DDC), and Comprehensive Transitional Education Program (CTEP or “Carlton Palms”)
In Florida, an individual who has a developmental disability (DD) can only be secluded to control behaviors that create an emergency or crisis situation. Seclusion is forced isolation or confinement of a person in a room or area away from other people. Seclusion, however, does not mean “time out”, “time out from positive reinforcement”, or isolation for medical reasons. People in DD facilities cannot be secluded automatically or as part of a slowdown plan for undesirable behaviors, as punishment, as a substitute for an implementation plan, or for the convenience of staff. It’s important to remember that every effort should be made by staff to avoid unnecessary use of seclusion, and should therefore try to redirect and lessen problematic behavior before it creates a crisis situation.
Each facility or provider must have policies and procedures related to the use of seclusion that follow the state standards. If you want to know what they are, ask the facility or provider for a copy.