Truths about Time Out

8/29/2017

Julie

2/28/2019 09:01:44 am

This is incredibly disturbing. It's our responsibility to ensure therapy is always trauma informed. The behaviorist methods of 50 years ago, although well researched to be effective, it lacks our current understanding of developmental neurology and psychology. Operant conditioning is extremely effective, but damages intrinsic motivation and psychological wellbeing. These are children, not to dogs.

Time out is nothing more than social isolation and rejection. Social isolation and rejection manifest as the same pain as physical punishment in the brain as shown by neuroimaging. The long term psychological effects of acts of social isolation follow through the duration of adulthood. Our goal should no longer be to just extinguish unwanted behavior but to build pathways to the prefrontal cortex and support the whole child.

There are so many healthy, non punitive alternatives available. Time ins, calming corners, safe spaces, etc...
The assertion that time out treats children respectfully is highly questionable. Imagine your spouse social isolated you because of an unwanted behavior and then told you they were being respectable.

The use of time out with any child that has experienced an isolation trauma, especially children who have been adopted or fostered, should be viewed as malpractice. I would appreciate pcit.org reviewing and updating this practice before more harm is done.

Truths about Time Out

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