Behavioral Rehearsal Lessons “Most of my shocks were for noncompliance or disruption. In fact, I was also subject to a method known as BRLs. While I was sitting in a restraint chair, a staff would burst into my conference room — I was one-on one alone with staff — and…

On March 25th, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a ban of electrical stimulation devices (ESD’s) intended to address self-injurious or aggressive behaviors. ESD’s, which are capable of delivering unsettlingly potent electric shocks, have been in use at the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center (JRC), a school located in Canton, MA, only two…

On November 13, 2023, I did something that I hope all of us get to experience at least once in our lifetimes. I took a stand for something I fervently believe in before the very people who have the power to actually do something about it. I publicly testified in…

H.180  An Act Regarding the Use of Aversive Therapy – 2023 SECTION 1. Section 16 of Chapter 6A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 official edition, is hereby amended by inserting the following text:- No program, agency, or facility funded, operated, licensed, or approved by any agency…

#StopTheShock is a crucial campaign aimed at raising public awareness about the detrimental consequences of aversive conditioning utilizing electric shock devices at the Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC) in Canton, Massachusetts. This unscientific practice involves administering electric skin shocks to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, devoid of any basis in…

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) has taken a powerful stance by writing a letter to the FDA, urging them to reissue the ban on aversive shock devices. This important plea comes after the FDA’s original ban was overturned on a technicality, allowing the continued use of these devices despite…

What is Aversion Therapy?  Aversion therapy is a form of psychological treatment that aims to help people overcome unwanted behaviors or habits by pairing them with unpleasant experiences or stimuli. The idea behind aversion therapy is that by creating a negative association with a particular behavior or habit, a person…

Msumba describes her experiences with the GED devices in these terms: “so many of us were tortured…searing pain…anxiety, day after day for years on end…my fears came true one day, and I was given a GED-4 shock while I was asleep…shocks for loud, repetitive, disruptive talking out…scream…cry…I was shocked for…