A follow-up study of disturbed children treated in a Re-ED program

In 1974 the authors undertook an evaluation of the children's program at Marshall I. Pickens Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina. The program, based on the Re-ED model, accepts only boys of normal intelligence between the ages of six and 12; most are referred because of disruptive behavior in the classroom and at home and low academic achievement. To evaluate the program, questionnaires were mailed to the families of all children who had been discharged from the program six months or longer a total of 123. Sixty-three of the 101 parents responding said the program had provided very much help for their child. At follow-up 89 children were enrolled in some kind of school program, and one had graduated from high school. However, 66 parents reported their child continued to have academic problems. The authors compare the findings with follow-up studies of three other Re-ED programs and discuss possible modifications that might make such programs more effective for children who fail to adjust.