The kid has apparently been physically acting out for a while, and now he's gone into a full-blown tantrum, and he's breaking things. He needs to be restrained -- there's no question about that.
The options are three: lock him in a closet, have an adult grab him and hold him down, or restrain him some other way.
Of the three, handcuffs really do seem to be the most humane alternative.
The poor little guy undoubtedly really does have problems, and needs some help. But you can't allow him to go nuts.
The handcuffs are one issue.
A separate issue is that they figured he was safe enough to remove the handcuffs, but nonetheless refused to release him and insisted on taking him to the psych ward.
That’s a separate issue.
It’s funny to note that so many FReepers can be rightfully cautious about the government intrusion into gun rights...yet at the same time, trust them on other aspects. At what point do you say: “Heck, no...it’s the parents’ kid, not the government’s.”