Long-term effects of treatment in a pre-school day centre: a controlled study

A five-year follow-up of 25 children who attended a psychiatric day centre for pre-school children is described. This group was compared at eight years of age with two matched control groups who had not received intensive treatment. There were few differences between the treated and untreated groups. Possible reasons for the findings are discussed and some methodological issues involved in carrying out evaluation studies are raised.