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This is what his therapist is suggesting for our 15 yr old as with RAD and bi-polar. Can anyone tell me anything about it?
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I worked at a partial hospitalization program in Pennsylvania. Kids who lived near by went to the school. School had small classrooms and lots of aides to assist. They arranged therapy for the kids during the day. There was a psychiatrist but he didn't see the kids that often. After school, there was a therapeutic after school program to encourage kids to work together. Kind of like the Boys & Girls Clubs. For kids who lived at the school, after school they would come down to the cottages. There were about 15 girls. They would have their own room when they first moved in. We would monitor them about 2 months before allowing them to share a room. Kids who shared a room were usually more mature or had fewer behavior problems. Kids who needed to be watched closely slept in rooms where they could be viewed from the common room. The rooms did not have doors. In the back, there was a "quiet room" without a door. It was a cinder block room painted white. If kids couldn't handle their emotions, they were sent (or carried) into that room. If needed, someone would stay there to make sure the child stayed in the room. They didn't use "restraints"-however, if kids were violent, they would restrain them on the floor and then walk them (or carry them) to the quiet room. Kids had consequences for bad behavior that resulted in "time out" in their room. 15 minutes for cursing..3 hours for 'acting out'...etc. There were levels. Level 1 kids stayed in their rooms at all times (except for meals & showers). Level 2 kids could participate in activities that occured on site but had an early bedtime. Level 3 had later bedtime, got to watch tv, but couldn't leave the grounds. Level 4 kids had the latest bedtime, could go on outings off grounds to the movies or the mall. This was about 20 years ago. So..I'm sure things have changed a lot.