Electric Shock Treatments: Tough love or Torture? Story aired: Monday, June 19, 2006
A report released last week by New York Education officials condemns a Massachusetts school for their use of the shock devices, arguing that administering electric shocks is more a form of torture than a teaching technique.
Officials are now considering banning the device, known as a graduated electronic decelerator.
Here & Now takes a closer look at the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center in Canton, which serves as a last resort for parents of children with autism, mental retardation and severe behavioral problems. The school came under investigation last month after a series of allegations of abuse. According to the report the untrained staff administered shocks unnecessarily and forced children to wear the devices while bathing.
Guests:
Here & Now's Allan Coukell
In order to listen to our archived recordings, you must use the Real Audio Player, available for free at www.real.com
With sponsorship from: The leading developer and supplier of technical computing software in the world.
