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<blockquote data-quote="DFrances" data-source="post: 86301" data-attributes="member: 4093"><p>The hard thing about giving this kind of advice is that there is such a wide range of function and ability. There are so many other conditions that might occur and impact the course of action that would be successful for any one child. I don't have a lot of trust in group homes or state run Residential Treatment Center (RTC)'s. The results I have seen are under trained staff, low paid minimum wage staff, no treatment plans for long term results (they concentrate on an immediate behavior quick fix) and kids who return home angry because the pain they are feeling was never dealt with, only the symptoms. Group homes cannot provide the loving care that trained staff can in a proper residential therapeutic treatment center with Master Level and above therapists. </p><p></p><p>So here's what I would suggest to parents who believe a residential placement is in their child's best interests, or is necessary to preserve the health and/or safety of the family:</p><p></p><p>Get assessments done and get copies of all reports and detailed results from all testing. The recommended IQ test is the Woodcock-Johnson, as it has lots of subtests in the area of information processing, and shows the highs and lows that are behind the "normal" overall score. The Bender is helpful as it shows typical visual-motor deficits. A functional assessment is crucial, such as the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, which will show a score well below the IQ and will explain the child's inability to function independently. A good psychological evaluation will bring to light any mental health disorders, such as Impulse Control Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, attachment disorder, autistic symptoms, tourette symptoms, or any of the conduct disorders that might occur. Let the doctors and evaluators know that you are not afraid of having any of these diagnoses in an official report, and that their honest reporting of their findings could be beneficial in getting needed services, especially if the IQ is above 70.</p><p></p><p>Document behaviors that indicate the need for 24/7. Recall and write about risky behaviors and repeated mistakes. Record all unusual incidents as they occur. </p><p></p><p>Keep a journal, like the ABC journal: A = Antecedent (what happened immediately before). B = Behavior (what the child did that was risky, illegal, harmful or inappropriate). C = Consequence (everything that happened as a result). Write down these three components and make a note of how the situation was resolved, and any factors that might affect the behavior. </p><p></p><p>Keep copies of all records from school. Special education placement and IEP records will be helpful in proving the need for support services.</p><p></p><p>With no assistance the child is likely to engage in risky behavior that could be harmful to family members or others. </p><p></p><p>Eventually the child will do something serious enough to be arrested, and a judge may require parents to provide close supervision with house arrest. This is impossible unless there is someone available to follow the child around constantly. </p><p></p><p>When a child is arrested, the lawyer appointed for the child should be educated about Residential Treatment Center (RTC)'s and/or work with an Educational Consultant.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="DFrances, post: 86301, member: 4093"] The hard thing about giving this kind of advice is that there is such a wide range of function and ability. There are so many other conditions that might occur and impact the course of action that would be successful for any one child. I don't have a lot of trust in group homes or state run Residential Treatment Center (RTC)'s. The results I have seen are under trained staff, low paid minimum wage staff, no treatment plans for long term results (they concentrate on an immediate behavior quick fix) and kids who return home angry because the pain they are feeling was never dealt with, only the symptoms. Group homes cannot provide the loving care that trained staff can in a proper residential therapeutic treatment center with Master Level and above therapists. So here's what I would suggest to parents who believe a residential placement is in their child's best interests, or is necessary to preserve the health and/or safety of the family: Get assessments done and get copies of all reports and detailed results from all testing. The recommended IQ test is the Woodcock-Johnson, as it has lots of subtests in the area of information processing, and shows the highs and lows that are behind the "normal" overall score. The Bender is helpful as it shows typical visual-motor deficits. A functional assessment is crucial, such as the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, which will show a score well below the IQ and will explain the child's inability to function independently. A good psychological evaluation will bring to light any mental health disorders, such as Impulse Control Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, attachment disorder, autistic symptoms, tourette symptoms, or any of the conduct disorders that might occur. Let the doctors and evaluators know that you are not afraid of having any of these diagnoses in an official report, and that their honest reporting of their findings could be beneficial in getting needed services, especially if the IQ is above 70. Document behaviors that indicate the need for 24/7. Recall and write about risky behaviors and repeated mistakes. Record all unusual incidents as they occur. Keep a journal, like the ABC journal: A = Antecedent (what happened immediately before). B = Behavior (what the child did that was risky, illegal, harmful or inappropriate). C = Consequence (everything that happened as a result). Write down these three components and make a note of how the situation was resolved, and any factors that might affect the behavior. Keep copies of all records from school. Special education placement and IEP records will be helpful in proving the need for support services. With no assistance the child is likely to engage in risky behavior that could be harmful to family members or others. Eventually the child will do something serious enough to be arrested, and a judge may require parents to provide close supervision with house arrest. This is impossible unless there is someone available to follow the child around constantly. When a child is arrested, the lawyer appointed for the child should be educated about Residential Treatment Center (RTC)'s and/or work with an Educational Consultant. [/QUOTE]
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