The Efficacy of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Managing Self-Injurious Behaviors Among Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review

Authors

Themal I. Ellawala, Clark UniversityFollow

Keywords

Self-Injurious Behaviors, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Electroconvulsive Therapy, Children

Abstract

Self-Injurious Behaviors (SIB) in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) form a constellation of particularly pervasive and harmful symptoms signifying high morbidity for children and adolescents. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) has been proposed as a last resort for particularly severe and treatment-resistant forms of SIB, yet has received little acceptance in mainstream clinical psychology. This paper summarizes findings of four studies investigating the effic- acy of ECT in treating SIB in ASD inflicted youth. This paper also evaluates the research on potential side-effects and ethical implications of ECT use. I conclude that while extensive further research is required to understand the implications of usage, that ECT may bear the potential to benefit an erstwhile untreated population.

Recommended Citation

Ellawala, Themal I. (2015) "The Efficacy of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Managing Self-Injurious Behaviors Among Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review," Scholarly Undergraduate Research Journal at Clark (SURJ): Vol. 1, Article 3.
Available at: https://commons.clarku.edu/surj/vol1/iss1/3