School of shock

[forumAdmin]

Andy asked me to put this up for comment click and download -
andy -would you like to start us off.

School of Shock (http://studio3.org/data/aam/Article-SchoolofShock.pdf)
Inside a school where mentally disturbed students are jolted into good behavior (http://studio3.org/data/aam/Article-SchoolofShock.pdf)
by Jarrett Murphy
October 10th, 2006 12:00 PM

[andy]

When I read articles like this it reinforces the cultural divide that exists between our own services and some of those in the US. The article focuses on the use of punishment. We already know that if a punishment is severe enough it can have short term effects in suppressing behaviours. The debate is not just about outcomes in the short term. Non aversive methods such as positive behavioural supports may take longer but, sometimes it is the journey and not just the end point which is important. Quite frankly I am appalled by the rationale presented in this article. I have been told frequently by colleagues that the US is a more regulated culture; this article would suggest that this may not truly be an accurate reflection of their system. I have come across elctric shock devices used in Holland, but, I really thought that this was just an anacronism. I strongly encourage people to read the article and if you don't feel a little uncomfortable, then I would start to get concerned.

[delh]

I found this article quite terrifying.
If I didn't know better, I would have imagined this was some sort of fictional account.
It doesn't take a degree in psychology to know this is wrong.

[DarraghPF]

Hey everyone,

I have just come across this thread and thought i'd post the following article that appeared in the Guardian in March this year which provides a current opinion on the Judge Rotenberg (Torture) Centre. A very scary place and some extremely warped ideas on behavioural change. Anyway, have a read through and see what you think. As is the case with the original article it is not a very enjoyable read.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/mar/12/electric-shock-school-matthew-israel