When we consider the use of electrical shocks at the Judge Rotenberg Center, if we are being fair and ethical, we need to ask: what are the alternatives for the patients who are getting this treatment?
Boston's FOX 25 News Undercover has done fantastic work in covering Cheryl McCollins' lawsuit against the JRC, even taking the time to ask that very important question. They spoke to Dr. Hannah Rue of the National Autism Center, who emphasized prevention. The best strategy with a person like Andre is to work hard on teaching communication and coping skills. I believe that kids like Andre become aggressive because they cannot communicate, and thus cannot get, what they want. Dr. Rue is absolutely right-- early intervention is the best way to avoid getting to a situation where anyone would consider the JRC as an appropriate placement.
And she is also right about the use of protective holding as a strategy when people become aggressive. And that electric shock simply does not have the research behind it that other strategies do.
She does not mention the use of medication, but it is important that both the popularity of the JRC and the common aggressive behavior that occur there stem in part from its policy of avoiding the use of psychotropic drugs. And, again, although I am very skeptical of the use of Risperdal and other drugs to "treat autism," I do think drugs are very likely going to be part of the solution when you are dealing with physical aggression that becomes dangerous. I think pretending otherwise leaves the door open to extreme solutions like the ones used at the Center