Ashley, born in 1997, has severe developmental disabilities due to static encephalopathy; she is assumed to be at an infant level mentally, but continues to grow physically.

[1] In June 2016, after 18 years of searching, Ashley's condition was determined to be the result of a de novo (not inherited, i.e. a mutation) and non-mosaic single-nucleotide polymorphism in the GRIN1 gene,[2] which is implicated in neurotransmission.

The principal purpose of the treatment was to improve Ashley's quality of life by limiting her growth in size, eliminating menstrual cramps and bleeding, and preventing discomfort from large breasts.

As these children grow larger, it takes more strength to move them and provide basic bodily care, raising the risk of pressure sores from immobility.

Pediatricians and other care providers should include discussion of these options as part of anticipatory guidance around the age of 3 years so that, if elected, potential clinically meaningful benefits of growth-attenuation therapy can be realized.

[tone][15] In the United States, Arthur Caplan, of the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Bioethics, has criticized the Ashley Treatment in an MSNBC editorial, arguing that it is "a pharmacological solution for a social failure—the fact that American society does not do what it should to help severely disabled children and their families.

[24] In the United Kingdom, the British Medical Association stated, "If a similar case occurred in the UK, we believe it would go to court and whatever decision was ruled would be in the best interests of the child."

"[25] In Canada, ethicist Arthur Schafer's nationwide opinion piece[26] defending the operation as justifiable considering Ashley's comfort engendered criticism from disability rights activists such as Dave Hingsburger[27] of the York Central Hospital and Keenan Wellar from the LiveWorkPlay self-advocacy organization.

In a rebuttal,[28] Wellar attacked the notion that Ashley's limited mental abilities justified the decisions made on her behalf: "Infants have human rights even though they can't speak for themselves.