"Although I'm still working on a detailed, chronological report for this web site...I can immediately confirm that I am one person who can indeed validate the long-term positive effects of skin-shock therapy. We began using skin-applications (via a prescription for SIBIS) in 1995. Before that time, our son was held captive to his savage self-beatings. After trying a plethora of failed "positive interventions," pharmaceutical interventions; alternative medicines; and a multitude of medical diagnostic procedures (all of which failed to explain the chronic SIB) - we were disgusted with the vulgar display of apathy and incompetence demonstrated by those whose mission was to "protect and serve the disabled community." Well, schools, regional center staff, ARC and several others failed to protect our son by torturing him with inept interventions. Everyday was a crisis with our son. He should have never been allowed to continue beating himself without swift and aggressive intervention like the SIBIS. Why this therapy was not introduced the first our child displayed injurious behaviors is an embarrassment to the professionals who witnessed our son hurting himself during months and years of so-called "positive" interventions.

Thankfully, after researching and asking for the SIBIS we received a medical prescription, which allowed us to immediately begin this therapy. Initially, it was difficult to watch, but the positive effects were evident. Soon, our son started gaining self-control over this dreadful SIB, and was able to calm down long enough for us to enjoy him. Likewise, we could finally take him out into the community and not panic if he went into a self-abusive frenzy. The SIBIS protected him like no other intervention could or has since. Repeated, consistent use of the SIBIS is the key to success! Upon reviewing every study done on SIBIS - they never did on someone like me (a mother) who aggressively used this device in our home now for over 5 years! Unlike any other study, which focused on subjects in group homes, etc., I have used this device the way it should have been used by those in other situations. I maintain and control his environment like no group home could ever do. The only other place I see skin-shock able to do its job is at JRC because its environment is conducive to its success. We all know what goes on at the group homes and other facilities, how can any study truly follow the progress of an individual in that unstable environment? My son is the most successful case of early intervention of SIBIS that I know of. Why? Because we stuck it out for 5 years now, while others were sadly given over to medication therapy or forced to wear restraints. Lastly, we have had such incredible success with SIBIS because we use it consistently, it's used in his school and with respite providers. Also, we control what he eats (enough fiber), any type of discomfort; hence prevention is the best counter attack to the SIB. However, there are many times when there is no identifiable antecedent and SIBIS is used to protect him from injury. The real truth is that every chronic self-abusing person can use SIBIS, but NOT everyone has the guts or tenacity to use SIBIS. It is the #1 most complex, tedious, draining and vigilant behavior intervention that I've ever seen, but the benefits are long-lasting for the person who is being tortured by their self-abusive behaviors. We cannot give up on these people simply because "we" may not feel comfortable with the device."

Sincerely,
Kimberley Oakley

Back to Comments by Parents
Back to Main page