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School of Shock Photo Essay

August 20, 2007

A photo essay on the Judge Rotenberg Center, a facility where autistic, mentally retarded, and emotionally troubled children from eight states are subjected to food deprivation, social isolation, and even electric shocks. Return to main story.

Young students looks up at a supervisor with several shock remotes on his belt.

At the Rotenberg Center, students as young as nine and ten receive shocks for misbehaving. Employees wear remotes bearing a picture of each child around their waist so they don't shock the wrong kid.


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How can this be happening to children in the U.S.A.??? I can't believe that our government and the people of Mass are letting this go on. This is so cruel to do this to children or anyone!!
Posted by:JoanAugust 20, 2007 5:51:30 PMRespond ^
Why is this still happening? Here's an article on their being investigated. http://www.nospank.net/jrc-1.htm Who is letting this go on?
Posted by:a sisterAugust 21, 2007 2:30:33 PMRespond ^
After thirty years of behavioral and cognitive behavioral therapy there are some individuals who do no respond except to a systematic, orderly, administration of shocks paired with reinforcers that will allow us to shape the behavior in a consistent direction where positive management can manitain the control.
Posted by:Kenneth PenningtonAugust 21, 2007 8:32:59 PMRespond ^
Shocking & distressing. I thought this only happened in communist countries. Those responsible must be prosecuted and the children rescued.
Posted by:TimAugust 22, 2007 12:18:59 AMRespond ^
Another death occured as a rewsult of JRC. A student jumped out the back of a bus on route #95 in Massachusettes and died. JRC has trouble retaining good emplyees because of the level of pay. Mr Isreal seems to clean up in that department!
Posted by:paulAugust 22, 2007 2:28:07 PMRespond ^
I have posted an extensive response to Ms. Gonnerman's article in the forum under the main article at http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/09/school_of_shock.html Matthew L. Israel,Ph.D. Executive Director Judge Rotenberg Educational Center www.judgerc.org
Posted by:Matthew L. IsraelAugust 23, 2007 11:37:14 PMRespond ^
And for a fully fomatted version of my response to Ms.Gonnerman's article, please see http://www.judgerc.org/ResponsetoGonnermanArticle.pdf Matthew L. Israel, Ph.D. Executive Director Judge Rotenberg Educational Center
Posted by:Matthew L. IsraelAugust 24, 2007 12:12:39 AMRespond ^
Please see my response at: http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/09/school_of_shock.html
Posted by:Ilana Slaff, M.D.August 24, 2007 10:26:22 AMRespond ^
how is this even legal, do these kids have criminal records? HAve they hurt anyone or themselves. I mean what the f man
Posted by:chris42August 27, 2007 12:22:30 PMRespond ^
One can be perfectly functional, and perfectly unhappy at the same time.
Posted by:BillAugust 29, 2007 12:21:22 AMRespond ^
As I have written in other blogs; I worked at the school in the office; and while I never administered any treaments; I saw a marked improvement in the students from when they first arrived at the school. The GED device while controversial works and is an effective form of treatment for students with the worst form of destructive behaviors that I have seen. The incident that the other person mentioned about the student that died in the bus is something that I will never forget. But, the reality is that this student was (If I remember correctly) was schizoprenic and delusional and he thought someone was chasing him. Therefore, being a big person, he was about 6 feet tall and stalky; he ran to the back of the bus while the bus was in motion and he forced his way through 2 direct care providers and pushed them out of the way; and he managed to get the latch open and jumped to his death. I believe the bus was traveling the speed limit. (maybe 60 miles an hour) This was of course tragic both for the parents and the staff at JRC. At no time; did JRC try to hide the facts or cover it up; it simply was a tragic accident. In the years that JRC has been opened; I believe there have been minimal deaths and minimal hospitalizations in regards to the students. I won't ever forget that day. The school takes the most difficult and hard to treat cases, with amazing results.
Posted by:TeriSeptember 4, 2007 11:59:56 AMRespond ^
Actually, JRC pays exceptionally well. We get paid for what we do at work though. And these kids are a danger to themselves and most all have criminal records. some students come from rikers.. most all come from jails, and other institutions. would you rather have these severly sick people strapped to a bed all day because they can not simply function. or have them on this GED that allows them to do task work, do chores, and act appropriately and live a somewhat normal life. this place saved so many students, yall have no idea
Posted by:anitaSeptember 5, 2007 8:06:24 PMRespond ^
Anita finally someone that has some experience with these students. They are well taken care of at JRC. I was really surprised at how good the care was. Before I worked there, I had just an image of what I might encounter. After being there for a while; I was really surprised. Someone said that they use the GED while a student is strapped to a board. I had never seen that in my 2 years there.? I have seen students come in on stretchers from other facilities looking awful and disorientated. I also didn't know that they take students from jails.? Never saw that while I was there either. I just know that I had a nice bond with some of the higher functioning kids and they were doing awesome before I left.
Posted by:TeriSeptember 6, 2007 1:17:13 PMRespond ^
After reading the article, I decided to schedule a tour acting like I wanted to possibly place my child (my son is 10 years old with autism). I visited the school yesterday 9/6/07 and spent 4 1/2 hours there and asked to feel the "application"(shock). My heart goes out to the kids and adults that are at JRC. Something needs to be done ASAP.No one should ever have to be treated like this, prisoners are treated better.
Posted by:Angela SpinoSeptember 7, 2007 11:37:11 AMRespond ^
my brother Antonio Manon goes there i would hate it if i was to see that happne to my brother let him free i miss him soo much come home
Posted by:Christina ManonSeptember 11, 2007 9:39:24 AMRespond ^
I have read the Mother Jones article and sidebars, all of the comments posted on the website, and Dr. Israel's response to the MJ article. I have no particular stake in or bias toward either "side" in this debate. It is clear that the issues are complex, the stories (from advocates for and opponents of the school) are compelling, and there are strong feelings held by all involved. It would be enlightening to read a response from Ms.Gonnerman, addressing particularly the criticisms about unbalanced reporting and use of inflammatory language and stories of deaths either unrelated to the school or due to natural causes (as Dr. Israel asserts).
Posted by:RuthSeptember 27, 2007 6:08:00 PMRespond ^
I have a son with autism. Once severly effected, with love and therapies this child has blossomed into a engaging, fun and social little 7 year old boy. I would NEVER allow this to be used on my child! I am appalled at this program.
Posted by:Donna CSeptember 28, 2007 9:35:24 PMRespond ^
You f*u*c*k*i*n*g moron.....
Posted by:MelindaDecember 19, 2007 5:03:32 PMRespond ^
We are writing from Germany. Dr Israel, aged 74, is obviously using methods he heard about here in the Nazi period . . .
Posted by:Michael & BiancaJanuary 8, 2008 9:55:27 AMRespond ^

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