Residential or long-term placement... I am a program coordinator for a Mental Health Residential Program in mass.  While I am a very organized person and strick with how my staff are to interact with clients, you can never be too careful for where you choose to place your child.  I would ask the agency the background checks that they do (CORI, SORI) as some don't do the SORI portion.  I would ask to review their service planning on a regular basis and have some "surprise visits" to see how your child is being cared for.  Check their refridgerator as budgets have been slashed recently and some areas where they tend to cut are on heating and food...try to get into MR versus MH as there is more funding in the MR facilities (here in Mass...not sure about your state).  Also, find out about staff turnover (a common problem across the board) and how they deal with this.  Consistency and routine is necessary so see what day programs are also avail and check out the day prgram as well.  My program is a wonderful program and I keep in contact with all the legal guardians, but make sure they will keep you informed.  Some don't relay as much info as they should.  I understand how hard it must be to make this decision at such a young age of your child.  I can't tell you want to do, but just think of the safety and well being of your child and what would be best for her.  Good luck...best wishes. Lisa How do you know when it's time for a long-term or residential placement? Has anyone had to make that decision? I always thought that it would be when my daughter was 19 or 20, not barely 14. The closest home that will take her is over 2 hours away and doesn't have any other teenagers or kids. It is such a difficult decision and we are heartbroken, yet at the same time, we fear for her and our safety to keep her home. She is so high-functioning, yet when she becomes upset, her IQ seems to drop 50 points and her brain shuts down. That's when she becomes dangerous and unpredictable. We are so torn and don't know what to do?? maybe meds would help .i was a mess when i was going though purbity .if she hf a gh wount be good for her .maybe some social skills therphy to help her learn how to control her self when she getting upset .i still have those aggrivees feeling but as i got hf i was taught how to keep it togher an im on meds for my angizy .only on a very very rare occison i may hit someone when im in a bad meltdown .i try helping her to cope with those iusse Hi - I'm sorry I have no real advice for you, my dd is only 3 and I shudder just thinking about making these kind of decisions when she gets older.  I just wanted to tell you I am sorry you are faced with this right now.  I know there are a few parents here that have made that decision and I hope they are able to offer you some insight and comfort. Best of Luck, I will keep good thoughts for you. Thank you! By the way, how do you put a picture in your signature? I have tried to fugure it out, but have been unsuccessful. my parent are working on getting me my own place .it hard sometime being hf im to hf for group home but still need some help .im pretty indapent .an my old ot who im like family now will help me when im in my own place I would really research and see if there were any alternatives, especially if she would be placed with older people. Individuals in residential homes are there for a reason, and I'm not sure thats a good place for a child. I work in a group home with 4 High Functioning Mentally Challenged adults, and have worked in other group homes, could not imagine a child of her age in one. A friends nephew who has Aspergers gets services through the county, he goes for outings several times a month, and that really helps him. I work with an individual with schizo. and his meds work great, he is never violent. I wonder if she was maybe on a different med that could calm her more? There are also different techniques you can learn to de-esqulate situations. I am sorry you are going through this, just research a lot. If she is only PDD-NOS and high functioning, a residential facility could really set her back at that young age. Really seems its puberty, needs med change, alternative techniques to change her thought process when going to act out etc. I'm not saying I'm right, just really trying to help.. Hi Cyndi, my 22 yr old son has autism, OCD, behavioral issues and is non-verbal.  Due to his impulsivity, past severe aggression (with me), his size and the stress to my health (chest pains, stress test next week), I sadly and hopefully wisely decided on Monday to accept an opening for him at residential facility 75 miles from my home.  I cry at the thought of him not being home every night & how he will feel, but I feel I am making the right decision & should probably consider myself lucky that such a place is available without any cost to me.  Medicaid pays for it.  I visited the facility & it's really nice. It's on 35 acres with an indoor pool, workshops on site, large sensory room, rec room, etc and he'll be in a co-ed house.  I think he will love it there once he gets used to it.  And it's not too far that I can't bring him home on weekends or take him out for a day of fun.  And while he is going thru a good cycle of behavior now, most likely the headbutting & hairpulling will return sometime again.   If you read the (local Cleveland Ohio area) article below, you can put my and my son's name in place of Trudy & Sky's.  I realize my son takes a village, not just me any more.  Good luck & feel free to email me @ magoo0717@yahoo.com if you like. http://abcnews.go.com/US/AutismNews/story?id=6848289&pag e=1 http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/02/kent_state_prof_gert rude_trudy.html PLease make sure before you place your child research, visit, surprise visits, staff background checks, etc. My son was ina group home for only 6 months where he was highly medicated, physically abused, and other things..he was signing, (he does not know how to read or write hos name) contracts and such from reginoal center and the group home. I have been tols there are good places out there..just do your homework..my son is home with me and will be for a very long time. We now deal with Ptsd and withdrawal from the high doses. Be careful and research. I'm so sorry you are facing this heart-wrenching decision.  We went through this a year ago.  My son was starting puberty and became out of control.  He is non-verbal, cannot read or write - low to moderate functioning.  For whatever reason, after about 8 months, he calmed down and was back to his usual self.  Dr. had said he was getting used to the hormonal changes.  Still becomes unable to handle from time to time, but he episodes are few and far between. I want to say I agree with the other members, please research carefully.  Majority of the homes we investigated were for older, lower functioning people - and many seemed unsafe to me. I would discuss this in depth with her physician.  Perhaps the combination of medicines or dosages need to be adjusted.  Maybe the school can help with behavior plans. one of my friend was rape twice in a group home that why when im in my own .place my pantes will make sure we no who going to help me my friend say they will my ot i use to have when litte .you have to be carefull but as long as she verble she can tell you what up.but there are place with younger people
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