Success Stories
“Alphie” is an eight-year-old boy who lived at home with his mother and two younger siblings . He was referred by his mother's case worker with reports of extreme aggressiveness toward peers and adults, refusal to follow directions, and concern that his behavior could escalate to the point that he would harm himself or others and/or run away from home. Alphie felt it was “unfair” when adults set limits and imposed consequences on him and he would harm himself by banging his head on furniture or walls and hitting himself in the head with his fists. His mother was in treatment for substance abuse and felt that Alphie's behaviors were putting her own treatment at risk. She had tried to handle his behaviors herself and through using other services, but they kept getting worse.
Alphie was admitted into the SVFC residential program and into the SAPH program. He was evaluated by the psychiatrist, diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, ADHD and Bi-polar disorder and placed on medication. In the residence and day program, he participated in structured therapy groups, individual and family therapy. The SVFC Intensive Community Support Service was also involved to work with the mother by providing linkage with resources and case management services.
Once admitted, Alphie demonstrated intense, escalating rage toward staff when limits were enforced or when a consequence was unacceptable to him. These rages would go on uncontrollably for up to an hour, with hitting, punching, kicking, biting and spitting on staff. Several people were needed to provide sufficient intervention to keep him safe. As is common with bi-polar disorders, Alphie's behavior was unpredictable and unstable ranging from, at times, extremely wonderful to, at other times, completely destructive.
After four months in both the Residential and SAPH programs Alphie's violent outbursts began to decrease and he increased his compliance with requests and staff directions. After six months, his behavior had stabilized to the point that he could again live at home and he was supported through the SAPH and Extended Day programs. He struggled with this change and tested limits, but within a month he began to stabilize and progressed through the level system of the SAPH. After another three months of intensive treatment, his behavior had improved and he was discharged from care.
The gains, however, were short lived. A month after he was discharged, Alphie's behavior began to rapidly decline. Physical aggression returned and he again began to rage for hours at a time. He was not able to be managed full time at home so SVFC Respite services were added to the treatment. Unfortunately, that was not sufficient and a month later, in order to secure his safety, he was readmitted to the Residential program.
Alphie, by then nine-years-old, was able to identify feelings of loneliness, sadness and worthlessness. The psychiatrist, at one of Alphie's re-evaluation visits, adjusted his medication. This proved successful and Alphie began to progress. After two more months, he was able to transition back to his home and return to an SED classroom in his home school.
