I encourage you all to really study what you sign when it comes to your 's IEP and other papers concerning their accommodations. Once, when my son was in middle school, they recommended weekly counseling sessions. They sent me papers to sign. Looking at the papers, which were pages long, I came across a paragraph that said that they had permission to use seclusion and restrain. I highlighted this part, sent it back to them with a sticky note telling them to take that part out and I would sign it. They sent me the papers 3 more times WITHOUT the seclusion and restraint part taken out - probably thinking that I wouldn't check - and each time, I sent it back to them again with the same demand that it be taken out. They called me in for a meeting telling me that they would not take it out, and that they "would only use it if he was a danger to himself or others." First: he is now 20 and has NEVER harmed another person. However, he does self injure. I told them that I would rather he hit, bite, scratch, or bang his head till he gets tired, than have several adults attach and restrain him by sitting on him or whatever, or lock him into their "seclusion room" (a glorified closet). I refused to sign, and was told well then, he would not get the counseling services. I said, "OK. I'm good with that." And walked out. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SIGN. Often they put something in that gives your permission to let them do this to your kid.

So horribly sad.

"He was held in a face down restraint for an hour".

That actually isn't beyond crazy. Not if it was an approved restraint done properly. And that's where the questioning starts. This article doesn't answer any of that.

I'm sure that restraint was chosen to prevent biting and spitting - a common problem with adolescents who are troubled - however a face mask would have also prevented that.

Or he had an undiagnosed medical condition - and that particular position - was absolutely fatal for him. And they had no way of knowing that.

Restraints are inherently dangerous. For the person they're applied to and the team doing them.
I have a friend who had to have her cheekbone and orbital socket rebuilt because of a restraint that went badly. And when her shoulder was dislocated during another one? She finally changed jobs.

Trust me it is not an enviable job. I trained in restraints for years. I only had to do them in a hospital setting a handful of times and there is nothing like having to remove someone's choice. It's horrifying and it's only done for the safety of themselves and others. (Normally).

Let's hope this was a bad accident. Seeing there is nothing to suggest otherwise other than a headline.
I'm sure there will be an inquiry - there is always an inquiry every time a restraint is used.
Chemical or physical.

The stories that both myself and others hear about how children with a difference are treated are shocking and show the level of ignorance/arrogance is nowhere near being rectified but people who do understand, even a bit, need to keep table thumping to get others to understand more and want to understand more.

PS I haven't read it yet because it's going to piss me off. I'll save it for work on Monday when I can post it.

My 18 yr old told me about all the abuse he endured...teachers weren't worth shit.

I can't even read that. ? My son's best friend told horror stories about what happened to him at his school. We did public school then Montessori then school for special needs kids - finally I just gave up and we're doing online school now.