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In this study the authors examine the individual and family characteristics of youth (N = 105) admitted over a five year period to a day school treatment program in a western New York community. All had exhausted alternative school placements within their home school districts and had a history of severe emotional or behavioral problems. Consistent with national patterns, more males (78%) than females were admitted, but in contrast to national trends, more Caucasians (63.8%) than students of color (36.2%) were admitted. Most lived in female headed single-parent households (51.4%). A few were foster children living with relatives or in non-relative foster homes (14.3%). Poverty was common with 45.7% of these youth eligible for free lunches. Most were on psychotropic medications (57.1%) and had histories of outpatient (62.9%) and inpatient hospitalizations (23.6%) at admission. Involvement in the juvenile justice system was common with nearly a quarter involved in the juvenile justice system (n = 25; 23.8%).

Parents and school administrators commonly ask how long a child is likely to need school-based occupational therapy services. In an effort to provide a statistically supported answer, a record review of 464 cases of students discharged from school-based occupational therapy services in the past 7 years was performed. This review demonstrated that some general statements about service patterns could be determined for this particular caseload. Of note was the significant variability in length of services for students with multiple disabilities as compared to the more discrete length of service provision for students with speech impairments, learning disabilities and those students without a specific classification. The applicability to other practice settings is limited, but this study serves as a beginning point for discussion on the topic.