• Developmental Disorders Unit for Youth serves patients ages 4 – 16
  
• Developmental Disorders Unit for Young Adults serves patients ages 17 and older
  

The Hampstead Hospital Developmental Disorders Program is the first specialized psychiatric unit of its kind in New Hampshire. Additionally, the DDP is one of the few programs in the country that integrates best practice standards from both psychiatry and behavioral psychology. These approaches have the most empirical support for treating severe presentations in patients with developmental disorders.

Why Hospitalization May Be Needed
Hospitalization may be needed to stabilize current acute behavioral or psychiatric problems. Some common reasons for hospitalization include:

• Severe aggression, self-injury, destructive behavior, repetitive or stereotyped behaviors
• Serious changes in mood, mental status, or other psychiatric symptoms
  
• Medication concerns that require
  - Comprehensive assessment
  - Management of complex regimens
  - Medication changes in a safe, controlled environment
  

About Our Program

Treatment Team
Our treatment team includes a behavior analyst and behavioral psychologist, clinical psychologist and trauma specialist, child and adult psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, special educators, behavior specialists, therapeutic recreational specialist, physical therapist, and a speech/language pathologist. Consultation by other medical specialties is also provided, as needed.

Program Goals
The primary goals of the program are to:

• Establish an accurate diagnosis and behavioral treatment plan with medication management
• Resolve the presenting difficulties through assessment-driven treatment intervention
• Prepare the patient for re-entry into a less restrictive setting
  
  Progress is evaluated daily for each patient, using individual symptom goals and standard psychiatric measures. Treatment is continuously adjusted to the patient’s changing condition.
  
  Our team works closely with the family and with pre-hospitalization treatment providers to identify aftercare needs early in hospitalization.
  

Specialized Program Components

Intensive Behavior Supports
Upon admission, behaviors of concern are identified and a functional behavior assessment is conducted. Based on this assessment, the clinical team will implement behavior change interventions that may include least restrictive approaches, positive behavior supports, and teaching alternative behaviors. The clinical team continuously reviews each patient’s progress and adjusts interventions as needed.

Unique Daily Programming Structure
Each patient participates in therapeutic activities that are specific for persons with developmental disorders. The activity structure focuses on life setting and community support needs after discharge.

Youth Program
The model for this unit is based on special education for youth with developmental disorders. Patients participate in a specialized school program, work on educational goals, and take part in structured therapeutic activities designed to develop adaptive behaviors and coping skills

Young Adult Program
The model for this unit is based on psychiatric day programming and life skills development. Patients participate in individual adaptive and life skills training and behavior therapy groups. Patients under the age of 22 who attend school in the community also participate in school programming that relates to their community-based school goals

Specialized Staffing
Our Program provides higher numbers of staff than on traditional psychiatric units. Therapists on both units are specialists in behavioral intervention, with additional training both in the population and in behavioral procedures.

Family Support
Upon admission, our social worker will conduct a family assessment that includes an evaluation of the nature of the patient’s difficulties, the impact on the family, the family’s pattern of responding and coping, and parenting skills.

Additional family support includes:

• Ongoing consultation to the family for the duration of the admission
• Behavioral skills training and other parent support services as needed
• Identification and coordination of discharge services that include: transfer of care and opportunities for training in behavior support interventions
  

Transition Planning and Support
Beginning with pre-admission contacts, our Program staff work directly with community-based programs and providers such as schools, stabilization teams, community support staff, and human service agencies.

Our staff will:

• Develop goals for the patient’s return to the care of the pre-hospitalization providers and family support systems that will improve the patient’s long-term prognosis
• Provide training in behavior management strategies prior to discharge

Developmental Disorders Services Links

Consortium of Developmental Disabilities Councils
www.cddc.com

National Association of Developmental Disabilities Councils
www.naddc.org
Assists individuals and families to advocate for appropriate policies, programs and supports; Initiates activities and events that create positive, long-term change for how citizens with disabilities participate in all aspects of community life, supports community initiatives that promote the full citizenship of people with disabilities.

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation
www.dougflutiejrfoundation.org
The Foundation's Mission is to aid financially disadvantaged families who need assistance in caring for their children with autism; to fund education and research into the causes and consequences of childhood autism; and to serve as a clearing house and communications center for new programs and services developed for individuals with autism.

The Autism Society of America
www.autism-society.org
Contains information about autism to parents and professionals; conducts research on the efficacy of various therapeutic interventions.