Beyond treatment of individual behavior problems: an effective residential continuum of care for individuals with severe behavior problems

Abstract

AbstractWe report on one component of a residential continuum of care designed to integrate children and adolescents with severe behavior problems into community residential and educational placements. The continuum featured three components: a behavior stabilization unit, campus apartments, and community group homes. Data are reported for a 5‐year period, during which 116 children and adolescents were admitted to a behavior stabilization program for treatment of severe self‐injury, aggression, and/or property destruction, and non‐compliance. Additional problems for some admissions included stereotypy, feeding disorders, sleeping disorders, seizure disorders, and other medical conditions. Archival data were collected retrospectively on age, gender, length of stay, prescribed medications, function of problem behaviors, acuity level of behavioral interventions, and discharge site. Analysis of data indicated (1) the behavior stabilization unit was successful in reducing occurrence of severe behavior problems, and increasing adaptive behaviors, (2) Seventy‐three individuals were able to successfully transition to a campus apartment program that had been designed as a step‐down program from the behavioral stabilization unit, and (3) Sixty‐seven individuals were able to transition to community group homes. The benefits of a residential continuum of care for individuals with severe behavior problems are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.