Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), once widely used in the mid-20th century, is now being controversially applied to children with severe autism who exhibit self-injuring behaviour. In the US, a small number of families have turned to this treatment as a last resort.
Seventeen-year-old Jonah Lutz, who is severely autistic, experiences violent outbursts where he hits himself repeatedly. His mother, Amy, credits ECT with allowing him to live at home rather than being institutionalised. She describes the modern version of the therapy as 'transformative', after years of failed medications and behavioural therapy.
Professor Charles Kellner, ECT director at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, administers the treatment to Jonah. He believes ECT 'reregulates the circuits in the brain that are deregulated because of autism'. The procedure involves a general anaesthetic and muscle relaxants, with a small electric current inducing a seizure lasting about 30 seconds.
Despite its benefits for some, ECT remains controversial. The UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence does not recommend it for under-18s, and long-term effects on children are unknown. Memory loss is a known side effect in adults, though its severity is disputed. Jonah has undergone around 260 sessions since age 11, each alleviating symptoms for up to 10 days.
