Posted by Daisym on February 25, 2007, at 17:54:40
In reply to Re: Shocking autistic children from doing harm, posted by wishingstar on February 25, 2007, at 17:35:35
I work with lots of kids on the spectrum. Different techniques work for different children. Like all things, treatments are often presented in the best, or worse, light. What we all want is for every individual to be given the best chance to function in the world -- contributing to the greater good and being happy as individuals. Sometimes parents are desperate to try anything. Imagine if your child banged his/her head over and over again and you were powerless to prevent such self-injury?
What we know is that different medications work, some better than others. Sometimes we need to sedate children in order to give them a chance to rest and heal. It takes 10 days to form a habit and nearly 60 to break one. So intervening strongly and quickly with self-harm behaviors is critical.
We also know that for some children with autism, touch can be excruciating and terrifying. Restraining them can be a form of torture. I think we all flinch when we think of shock therapy because there are so many bad movies about it. But it can and is used humanely and effectively. We also know that certain kinds of depression and OCD behaviors respond to "large" shock treatment. Often used as a last resort, it can be an attempt to "reset" the brain.
I also believe that none of these things typically are used in isolation or carelessly. It is a matter of money sometimes, but more often it is a matter of desperation to reach and save these children. No parent chooses any treatment lightly. My heart breaks for them.
poster:Daisym
thread:736043
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20070215/msgs/736183.html