Mass. lawmakers consider ban on shock treatment

[The Straight Story]

Mass. lawmakers consider ban on shock treatment

BOSTON—Massachusetts lawmakers are considering bans on aversive therapy that would end electric shock treatment at the Canton-based Judge Rotenberg Center.

The privately run school that treats severely autistic children is believed to be the only school of its kind in the nation that uses skin shock treatments to control the behavior of some students.

Critics of the center say the shocks are inhumane and there are other ways to help patients with severe behavioral problems that cause them to hurt themselves or others.

This legislation prevents new patients from receiving shocks, but treatment could continue for patients already receiving it. Spanking, hitting, and pinching patients would also be banned.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/07/26/mass_lawmakers_consider_ban_on_shock_treatment/

[ananda]

1. I hope shock gets banned everywhere!

Go Massachusetts!

[eShirl]

2. I'm amazed this was not banned decades ago as a form of physical abuse