Effectiveness of intensive short-term residential treatment with severely disturbed adolescents.

Abstract

Analysis of follow-up data on 123 adolescents treated over a four-year period indicates that intensive short-term residential treatment that includes emphasis on work with families, involvement in community activities, and discharge planning can be an effective means of helping youngsters with severe psychiatric disorders who have not responded to briefer or less intensive forms of psychiatric treatment.

A Multi-Center Study of Private Residential Treatment Outcomes

“…Outcomes of youth treated in these programs are largely unknown (Friedman, Pinto, Behar, Bush, Chirolla, Epstein … & Young, 2006). Previous research has focused almost entirely on public residential treatment programs (RTPs) Curtis, Alexander, & Longhofer, 2001;Hair, 2005;Leichtman, Leichtman, Barbet, & Nese, 2001;Lieberman, 2004;Whittaker, 2004). In fact, there is virtually no published outcome research on private RTPs.…”

“…The primary measures for the study of 123 youth were the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) (Achenbach, 2001) and the Youth Self-Report (YSR) (Achenbach, 2001). The study found that parents and youth reported a significant decline in problems from admission to 3 months post-discharge with maintenance of gains up to 12 months post-discharge (Leichtman et al, 2001). …”

The Evidence Base for Private Therapeutic Schools, Residential Programs, and Wilderness Therapy Program

“…For example, one study conducted at The Menninger Residential Treatment Program with a sample of 123 youth found that parents and youth reported a significant decline in problems from admission to 3 months after completing the program, and these gains from treatment lasted up to 12 months after completing the program (Leichtman, Leichtman, Barber, & Neese, 2001).…”

Psychiatric Hospitalization Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…While hospitalization may be warranted in some cases (Green et al 2001;Leichtman et al 2001), its use may represent a failure to provide appropriate community-based care. Examining factors associated with hospitalization may identify potential points of intervention that could decrease the need for children with ASD to be hospitalized.…”