Rotenberg is a school for severely disabled or deeply disturbed children who would otherwise be overlooked by society, according to a statement released by the school. Shock therapy is only used "after obtaining prior parental, medical, psychiatric, human rights, peer review and individual approval from a Massachusetts Probate Court," according to the school's Web site.
But other Experts differ in their opinons on this matter:
"In terms of the stress that it creates for the individuals with autism there is simply no way there can't be some very negative long-term side effects," said Barry Pizant, who is an adjunct professor at Brown University's Center for the Study of Human Development. "It interferes with their ability [to] trust people who are with them and these are people who already have trouble understanding people."
I am an Aunt to a Mentally disabled niece and know the disruption these children can cause at home, in school and in public, but I have never, ever heard my Sister talk about this form of control discipline...please be your child's advocate and research all there is to know about a school before subjecting you child to a harmful form of discipline.
"Be very watchful," said Shreffler, who added that her children have never been treated at Rotenberg." Special-needs kids a lot of times can't speak for themselves to tell the story."
