Il Daycare Placing Ankle Weights On My Child

TL; DR at the bottom. It’s a long one but context is important.

My child (2m) attends a DCFS-licensed daycare program full-time. When I went to pick him up early on Friday, he had ankle weights attached to him!

My son has no medical diagnosis or known neurodivergence. He’s never exhibited aggressive behavior. Quite the opposite - he’s shy and fairly anti-social. He is being treated by a Developmental Therapist (DT) and a Speech Therapist (ST).

The assistant director at his school (Katie) has told us many times that our child is a poor listener. Other teachers have noted he doesn’t listen when told to stop running. Katie also uses a lot of buzz words hinting at a diagnosis such as “stemming,” “non-verbal,” and “sensory processing stuff”. He says 80-100 words. A little behind for 27 months old, but that’s why we’re getting ST.

Back to Friday - I was shocked to see the ankle weights and the teacher commented that these were needed to slow him down and keep him from hurting himself/others.

Katie soon came into the room and explained that the weights were used on another “big kid with sensory issues” and they thought it would help slow down my child. Important to note kids in this room are age 2-3. My kid is big but middle of the pack in his classroom. He’s never hurt anyone- no biting, hitting, kicking. He’s thrown 1 car in his 1.5 years at day car. That’s the only “incident” we’ve ever been made aware of.

Katie also commented that the weights were “only used in the morning”. My child arrives at 7am. These were still on at 12pm.

I have yet to consult with an attorney. We are meeting with the director tomorrow and the DT plans to counsel staff and management on the proper use of weights (under supervision and only as part of a treatment plan + training). I have expressed in writing that I am not comfortable with weights/restraints/compression being used without the direction and supervision of an Occupational Therapist or certified medical professional. I did get a swift reply acknowledging they should have told us first and won’t do it again.

From what I’ve read, ankle weights are not at all developmentally appropriate or safe for a 2 y/o. They force children to use quads instead of hamstrings and can do serious damage to their developing muscles.

I have so many more questions I forgot to ask. I was so taken aback and horrified. Who directed this treatment/interventon? How long has it been occurring? Do other children wear them if they’re running too much? Does any teacher have discretion to use them or just Katie? What’s the process for determining weights are needed and for putting them on?

What is my recourse here? We’re considering having my husband leave his job and try the stay-at-home-parent route. I don’t know how we can trust that they aren’t doing worse things behind our backs. Or how we can trust they won’t retaliate against my child if we make trouble for them. Part of me wants to stand outside and warn every incoming parent about this. Part of me wants to demand Katie never be allowed near my child (I’m speculating she is the one “ordering” the use of the weights) or resign. Should I make a DCFS complaint?

TL;DR - my IL licensed day care center applied therapeutic and potentially dangerous interventions on my child. Without a treatment plan, without my knowledge or consent, and without the necessary training/certification.