After several years of advocacy by NACDD, the Massachusetts State Developmental Disabilities Council, and thousands of other advocates across the country, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finally published a final rule to ban electrical stimulation devices (ESDs) used for self-injurious or aggressive behavior. According to their statement, the FDA has banned the use of ESDs because they "present an unreasonable and substantial risk of illness or injury that cannot be corrected or eliminated through new or updated device labeling."

"I am relieved that the inhumane and dangerous practice of using ESDs to "treat" self-injurious or aggressive behavior is finally banned," said Donna Meltzer, CEO, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities. "The FDA's action today brings to a close a sad history of torture against people with disabilities that must never be repeated."

For more information, click here to read the official FDA press release.  https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-rare-step-ban-electrical-stimulation-devices-self-injurious-or-aggressive-behavior<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.fda.gov_news-2Devents_press-2Dannouncements_fda-2Dtakes-2Drare-2Dstep-2Dban-2Delectrical-2Dstimulation-2Ddevices-2Dself-2Dinjurious-2Dor-2Daggressive-2Dbehavior&d=DwMFAg&c=lDF7oMaPKXpkYvev9V-fVahWL0QWnGCCAfCDz1Bns_w&r=Qmc0zm8EXUrpBSSpVQS4QPOytbtv6uPyO0RCf9bIhbI&m=AqChwJaNcH6zrg_QlWpY1Gmz2nsHKdgweH7Q7XCJW-k&s=X7bkuMOlFu8_XGWZCcOn_RLk63vo_vpk00agAXpt_0Y&e=> "