  
  
“Our son seems
more relaxed with no evidence of anxiety. I’m not sure
that words can express how grateful I am.”
-Gloria Chilton,
RES SUCCESS parent
“RES SUCCESS
has a terrific reputation as a high-quality provider among
professionals serving the developmentally disabled. I am very
familiar with RES SUCCESS as my son is a client.”
-Cindy Siljestrom,
CEO Hospice of the East Bay
and
RES SUCCESS parent
|
|
 |
Each individual who participates in the RES SUCCESS program has a
unique history, disability, level of functioning, needs, and goals.
Our clients represent every ethnicity and age range, although most
fall between the ages of 18 and 59, and they come to us from throughout
the East Bay.
The
common thread is usually a developmental disability, such as mental
retardation or autism, coupled with a behavioral or mental disorder,
such as schizophrenia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Because of
their behavioral challenges, many of our clients have not been successful
in other treatment facilities. These “dual diagnosis” individuals
often fall through the cracks and spend the rest of their lives in
state hospitals.
The
RES SUCCESS model offers a meaningful alternative to hospitalization.
It allows individuals to learn more appropriate life skills and promotes
personal fulfillment, independence, and community integration.
Jonathon
Jon has a diagnosis of autism coupled with obsessive compulsive disorder.
At age seven, his behaviors had become so disruptive that doctors recommended
that he be placed in the state hospital. Jon’s family understandably
wanted him out of the institution at the time RES SUCCESS was opening
its first residential home.
Jon has been with RES SUCCESS for ten years now, and has made tremendously
positive changes such as learning to verbally communicate and express
his personality through such means as singing and humor.
Initially, Jon had significant behavior challenges such as self-injury,
AWOL, and property destruction. Today, Jon has learned new behavioral
skills, which reduce the risk to himself and others. First, RES SUCCESS
staff determined that an exercise regimen would be most beneficial to
Jon when he was displaying self-injurious behaviors. RES SUCCESS taught
Jon the replacement skill of engaging in an exercise program in lieu
of hurting himself. Jon will now exercise or engage in preferred activities
such as painting, rather than engaging in self-injurious behaviors.
Slowly over time, Jon has learned that the experience of exercise or
art activity was more powerful than the desire to injure, and he was
able to reduce the frequency of self-injurious incidents.
Even after ten years, and at age 50, Jon continues to increase his
vocabulary, surprise us with his witty humor, as well as decrease incidents
of self-injurious behavior. RES SUCCESS recognizes the importance of
maintaining relationships with one’s family. Two years ago, Jon participated in and enjoyed
a family reunion. The decrease in Jon’s maladaptive behaviors
has allowed for him to have consistent contact and rewarding relationships
with his family. We believe that a major factor in the reduction of
disruptive behaviors and the replacement of these behaviors with functional
skills is that Jon feels safe and genuinely cared for by RES SUCCESS
staff, peers, and his family.
Note: In order to protect the privacy of our residents, students,
and their families, RES SUCCESS has altered the identities in these
case studies.
Kate
Kate is a young adult with a medical condition of Down’s Syndrom,
Hirschrpung’s Disease, and several other serious medical conditions
which have required over twenty surgeries, beginning at birth. Kate
was not expected to survive beyond infancy. Not only has Kate had to
live with chronic illnesses, but she has had to overcome addiction to
the pain medications which were prescribed to her.
Fortunately for Kate, she had wonderfully supportive parents and extended
family. Tragically, Kate’s parents both passed away suddenly leaving
Kate without the love, advocacy, and the home that her parents had provided.
When Kate moved into one of the residential homes of RES SUCCESS and
began attending the day treatment program, she was severely depressed,
understandably. One of the behavioral challenges that Kate initially
displayed was feigning illness in order to get hospitalized and receive
the attention that once was provided by her parents. RES SUCCESS staff
members have spent hours in the emergency room with Kate only to find
out there was nothing physically wrong.
Now that Kate is beginning to adjust to her new home, she is seeing
a new support system developing around her. Kate is beginning to understand
that her peers and staff will be there for her in a way that her parents
once were. Because of this, Kate is learning healthy ways of getting
her needs and desires met. When Kate went to her psychiatrist appointment
and was asked, “How are you doing, Kate?” the psychiatrist
was shocked to hear Kate reply, “pretty good.”
With the combination of trust, care, and respect, and a program plan
that is highly structured, Kate is once again feeling safe in her environment.
This feeling of safety is enabling Kate to find more appropriate ways
of receiving attention, and the relationship building that RES SUCCESS
prioritizes has contributed to a decrease in Kate’s depression.
Note: In order to protect the privacy of our residents, students,
and their families, RES SUCCESS has altered the identities in these
case studies.
Return to Top
|
|
