Shock Treatment May Continue At Special Education School

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Main Category: Psychology / Psychiatry
Also Included In: Mental Health;  Autism;  ADHD
Article Date: 23 Dec 2007 - 8:00 PDT

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A special education school which has been in the news for inappropriate use of electric shock treatment has been allowed to continue using shock treatment for the most dangerous and self-destructive behaviors. In such cases the shock treatment must lead to a diminution in the undesirable actions. The Judge Rotenberg Educational Center (JRC) has to prove that these treatments really work.

The one-year reauthorization contrasts with previous ones which lasted two years each time.

Electric shock treatment at the center must never be used for petty infractions, such as leaving one's seat without getting permission or using offensive language. The school has been ordered to show that it is committed to phasing out this type of aversion therapy. This phasing out must be especially so for students who are on the verge of leaving and about to enter the community.

In August 2007 three adolescents were given several electric shocks after a former resident called pretending to be a supervisor. The residents in question were asleep at the time, the caller told staff to wake them up and give them dozens of shocks with restraints in response to behavior that had allegedly taken place over five ours beforehand. A series of phone calls with instructions were made by the former resident between 2am and 4.45am. Although the JRC claims the victims were evaluated by JRC nursing staff, JRC's doctor, as well as the victim's treating clinical Doctor, and found to be in good health, one victim was further examined at a hospital and was reported to have two areas of first degree burns related to the presence of the GED.

The center pledges not to utilize delayed punishments. It also says it will not punish children who are asleep with electric shocks.

Many are surprised the school was not ordered to end shock treatment straight away.

The Judge Rotenberg Educational Center is a special needs school in Canton, Massachusetts serving both high-functioning students with conduct, behavior, emotional, and/or psychiatric problems and low-functioning students with autistic-like behaviors.

-- DEEC findings on JRC abuse allegations
-- See the full report from the Department of Early Education and Care (PDF 1.84MB)

Written by - Christian Nordqvist
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