Treatment Process
" Do not hire a man who does your work for money, but him
who does it for love of it." David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)
Once the consumer, family, caregivers, and staff are trained using a competency-based approach, the behavior reduction program will be implemented. Environmental manipulations could result in immediate behavior change. The treatment focus will include using positive programming to teach new skills, consistency in service implementation by all caregivers, and could facilitate lasting results for the consumer in their home or with caregivers or their staff. After stable baseline data is collected in the first month, the behavior plan is developed and submitted to the Local Review Committee for approval, and could include additional recommendations for staffing ratios at the ADT or funding for behavior assistants as needed. A mental health assessment will include the treatment diagnosis, treatment modalities, appropriateness for services, recommendations for individual, group, or family therapy, and the number of hours required. All services will be tailored to this population, and will be coordinated with the psychiatrist, and other treatment providers. The goal of treatment is to maximize the reduction of the consumer's mental illness and restoration to the best possible functional level. Behavior Assistants are paraprofessionals or university students needing supervision who have experience working with consumers and families. Their services are supervised by trained clinicians in the home, group home, community, or ADT settings. They implement the skill training and behavior reduction training goals and collect data for the trained professionals. An aftercare plan will developed before discharge.
