In 2016, my 10-year-old neurodivergent son was physically restrained and secluded twice at his Maryland public school. Being physically restrained and dragged down a hallway by school staffers and left in a room all alone led to a lot of fear and anxiety for my son and our family. In 2018, my son decided he wanted to go back to school to be with his friends. In my home state of Maryland, we helped draft and pass legislation in 2022 banning seclusion in all public schools. America’s schools can and must end seclusion, reduce restraint and improve outcomes for students, educators, families and communities.