The family of a boy with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is suing for disability discrimination after his former Queensland primary school allegedly held him in a "withdrawal room" to calm him, and physically restrained him multiple times.

Key points: A Queensland boy's family are alleging he was subject to physical violence, restraint and seclusion due to his disabilities

A Queensland boy's family are alleging he was subject to physical violence, restraint and seclusion due to his disabilities Lawyers for Education Queensland argued there was an ongoing risk to staff and students from "highly disruptive" and "aggressive" behaviour

Lawyers for Education Queensland argued there was an ongoing risk to staff and students from "highly disruptive" and "aggressive" behaviour The boy's statement of claim said he was treated less favourably than students without his disabilities

He has been embroiled in a two-year legal battle with Education Queensland over his alleged treatment at a school in Hervey Bay between 2011 and 2015.

Another hearing on the case is set down for tomorrow.

In documents filed in the Federal Court, it is alleged the boy was subjected to physical violence, restraint and seclusion because of his disabilities.

The department is denying it was unlawful discrimination.

In its defence filed in late 2017, the department argued there was an "ongoing risk" to staff and students' health and safety due to behaviour described as "highly disruptive" and "aggressive".

Education Queensland also denied that his conditions constituted the meaning of disability under the legislation, or that his behaviours were a symptom of them.

Boy vomited after being restrained

A statement of claim, lodged on the boy's behalf in 2017, said he had ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder, which could cause him to bite, pinch, kick, and refuse to follow directions.

School behaviour records, filed as part of the claim, reported that he vomited and complained his "chest hurt" after being restrained during a "major" incident in February 2013.

According to the school report, the boy tried to kick, hit, bite and scratch staff while being "carried" to the "withdrawal room".

The report said staff told him to sit on a mat if he wanted to return to class, but that when he "climbed the door ... climbed onto the louvres" they restrained him.

"This continued for approximately 40 minutes with him being restrained for 5-10 minutes before being let go and then he would start behaviours that put him at risk and we would restrain again," the report noted.

It said the boy tried to stab one staff member in the leg with the screw from a door stopper before it was taken off him.

"He was restrained for a short time ... and let go as he did not struggle," it said.

"At one time he did a small vomit and said his chest hurt, so we cleaned up the small amount of vomit ... and left him but he shortly got up and climbed the window again."

"We left the room, he climbed, putting himself at risk, and we would go in, restrain, and he would not fight. We would leave."

The report said staff continued to restrain him while they waited for his parents to collect him.

"In total, [he] needed to be intermittently restrained for approximately two hours," the report said.

"Whenever we thought he was calm enough to let go, he would start to hit or kick out at staff."

Claims treatment 'put him at risk of injury and death'

Lawyers for the boy said in the statement of claim his treatment at the school left him "feeling unwanted and affected his self-esteem, was punitive, put him at risk of injury and death, and caused him psychological harm".

"By treating [him] in [that] manner ... [the school] treated him less favourably than it would treat a student without [his] disabilities," the statement of claim said.

The claim also alleged the school failed to provide a functional behaviour assessment or plan by a qualified analyst or psychologist, despite the school considering his behaviour so severe that he required detention and suspension.

Lawyers for the department said staff used "reasonable force" that was in line with education standards — not physical violence.

They argued the boy was physically restrained on about nine occasions and put in the withdrawal room in order "to calm" him down 17 times.

"On each occasion, restraint was carried out in response to highly disruptive, disobedient [and/or] aggressive behaviour by [him] ... which posed a threat of harm to [him], other students [and/or] employees.

"The [school's] actions were reasonable measures ... taken to protect the health and safety of [the boy], other students [and/or] employees."

The defence also said his parents "consented to and encouraged" the use of the withdrawal room, as well as physical restraint that was consistent with procedures.

It said the school made "reasonable adjustments" for the boy, such as one-on-one teacher aide support, and diversion and de-escalation techniques, but that a formal function behaviour assessment would have imposed an "unjustifiable hardship".

He is seeking a declaration from the Federal Court that the department committed unlawful discrimination against him, as well as damages.

The matter is set down for a case management hearing tomorrow.