I think it is extremely important to act in an ethical way. Treating clients with dignity and respect is something that we should strive for. Children are not lab rats to be tested on, nor are they to be treated with disrespect based on disability.

I think it is important for the board to consider this when evaluating credentials it approves as alternatives. 

According to Wikipedia, "The Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC, founded in 1971 as the Behavior Research Institute) is an institution in Canton, Massachusetts, United States, housing people with developmental disabilities, emotional disorders, and autistic-like behaviors. The center has been condemned for torture by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture. The JRC is known for its use of the graduated electronic decelerator (GED), a device that administers electric shocks to residents through remote control. The device was designed by Matthew Israel, the institute's founder."

The JRC Continues to shock students as of today 28 March 2022.

The Board of Directors is made up of:

Henry Slucki, Ph.D. 

Thomas Brady

Jessica E. Van Stratton, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA

Richard Malott, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Josh Pritchard, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Jeffrey Sánchez

Ronald Van Houten, Ph.D.

W. Joseph Wyatt, Ph.D.

On Staff:

Nathan Blenkush, PhD, BCBA-D

It is important to note that the BACB is aware of these allegations and yet at least 3 board members remain and at least 1 on staff remain. I don't know about the Virginia Board of Medicine but I certainly don't condone torture and I think there should be alternatives in the field.

The Board needs to watch these:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUhPMNdnOW8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV5D2ZL0icM

This is not who we are. It is not who we want to be. It is a human rights violation. The BACB has taken no action against the individuals allowing this to happen. Alternatives must be put into place to protect the human rights issues being faced.