ACTIVE SEARCH SD - Serenity Dennard, 9, Children’s Home Society, Pennington County, 3 Feb 2019 #2

[MsGazette]

What this mother said about kind treatment being "harder" for children with RAD is actually something that I would expect to hear from someone involved in "Attachment Therapy/Parenting." This unvalidated belief is used to justify harsh treatment of adopted children. If children in that situation run away, I would expect that it's more an attempt to flee from the abuse.

Wow. That’s interesting. Thanks for the info. If Serenity is a miracle like JC was, I hope things change for her...for the better.

 

[MsGazette]

I am glad to hear you have found some measure of happiness.

You're right. It is impossible for people to imagine what kids go through who have gotten ensnared in Attachment Therapy/Parenting and diagnosed with AD. It is incredibly abusive, and you are lucky to be alive. At a minimum, it robs people of their childhoods. I belong to a group that's been trying for 20 years to stop this practice, but it's more like a cult. Some experts call it a "therapy cult."

Our website: ACT: Opposing Abusive and Unscientific Treatment

There is also a Facebook site "Attachment Therapy is Wrong" for survivors, their friends and activists who are trying to stop it. It has over 200 members. I'm sure you would be very welcome to join.

I remembered reading about a child that died from this type of therapy as I was reading this post. Attachment Therapy on Trial: The Torture and Death of Candace Newmaker

 

[misgrn]

To my knowledge BHCH doesn't use any corporal punishment or any Attachment Therapies like mentioned in previous posts. My former center did not either. As far as I know that is illegal in these types of residential facilities. Yes, I know it still happens in some facilities, foster homes, private placements, etc.

There are very strict guidelines as to when and how staff can place their hands on a resident regarding escorts and restraints. Any incidents were evaluated in-center and then by agencies outside of the center. DSS, licensing, accreditation agencies all could be involved.

We also had inspections each year too where they: interviewed several random children; interviewed random staff; looked at all our policies, procedures, and protocols; went through staff personnel files; checked all center documentation-logs, incident reports, etc; toured the facility; check on trainings offered and checked to make sure all staff met those requirements; and more.

 

[misgrn]

I grew up in a “therapeutic” group home. This is exactly how we operated. We lost “privileges” if we did the most basic things then you got demerits so you’d have to do the others chores. Sometimes I sat for 6 hours in the hot Texas sun “watching for the wind”. You just had to come in a apologize and tell our prick foster dad he’s was right and I was stubborn. And I like the sun. I too was once diagnosed with attachment disorder, bipolar 1 and authoritative defiance disorder.
I’m 36 and a business owner and happy in a loving marriage but those foster homes damaged me. You guys can’t even imagine. I’m lucky to have made it out.

I am so sorry you had to go through that. I can't imagine! I also heard a few horror stories from the kids I worked with.

I am so glad you made it out and are doing well!

 

[human]

I am only familiar with this case from the press. I am concerned to read that Serenity was diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), but her behaviors, as described by family are not anything like the recognized definition of that condition.

Actual RAD is a rare condition characterized by a child being very withdrawn. There are no aggressive or violent features, no self-harming, no running away. But these are common signs of an unrecognized diagnosis called "Attachment Disorder," (AD) which, typical of a quack diagnosis, has a long, catch-all list of signs so that any child will be diagnosed with AD. AD is usually conflated with RAD: perhaps to appear legitimate, for insurance purposes, and for "special needs" adoption funds.

"RAD vs AD"
Reactive Attachment Disorder vs. Attachment Disorder

AD is the invention of a highly abusive psychotherapy – "Attachment (Holding) Therapy" – a practice that is inflicted mainly on adopted and foster children. It's parenting is brutal, as well: based on isolation, deprivation, humiliation, manipulation with food, excessive chores/exercises, etc.

"Attachment Therapy and its Parenting"
What is Attachment Therapy?
AT — Videos

Attachment Therapy/Parenting is linked to many high profile criminal child abuse and death cases.
Victims of Attachment Therapy

In addition, while there is no accepted treatment for RAD (i.e. none that has empirical support), attachment problems are usually treated by teaching parents attentive and responsive parenting, not by sending a child away from the parents who want to create loving relationship with the child.

– Advocates for Children in Therapy

My friend who adopted a boy from Romania who was adopted at age 4 was diagnosed with RAD,

It is not rare at all especially in orphanges from Romania.

He was not withdrawn. He would run away.

Don’t we wish that attentive and responsive parenting would work. My friend spent hours with the child. Establishing eye contact, reacting to his needs.

He kept pooping in the corners and peeing on his laundry.

He would climb out the window and escape.

He was sexually abused on the orphange. Really sickening abuse. He is in a group home now very strictly supervised.

 

[Bugurl747]

To my knowledge BHCH doesn't use any corporal punishment or any Attachment Therapies like mentioned in previous posts. My former center did not either. As far as I know that is illegal in these types of residential facilities. Yes, I know it still happens in some facilities, foster homes, private placements, etc.

There are very strict guidelines as to when and how staff can place their hands on a resident regarding escorts and restraints. Any incidents were evaluated in-center and then by agencies outside of the center. DSS, licensing, accreditation agencies all could be involved.

We also had inspections each year too where they: interviewed several random children; interviewed random staff; looked at all our policies, procedures, and protocols; went through staff personnel files; checked all center documentation-logs, incident reports, etc; toured the facility; check on trainings offered and checked to make sure all staff met those requirements; and more.

Great post, I agree with everything stated above. I have seen and experienced the updates which are all positive and necessary.

Prone restraints in particular are extremely dangerous, have caused numerous deaths, and are widely banned.

@LindaRN I'm deeply disturbed and feel nauseous after spending the last hour watching The Tamed Child and the other video clips that you linked on Attachment Therapy.

 

[human]

I think that is basically correct, although I think later reports have "confirmed" (if MSM can be called that) that it was a couple dropping off a child. It has never been said who they were, or that they have said anything since then. I don't know what prompted them to drive up and down the road looking for Serenity, unless the Home told them that if they see her again, call them right away and let them know where, because she needs located and brought back right away. The urgency might have been enough for them to do a drive-by search. Again, that is mostly my speculation.

I have no idea if the couple has been talked to at all since then. All we know is that they were the last to have seen Serenity.

I think if I saw a child wearing little outside in that weather, I would look for the child because every minute matters for survival in the cold

 

[human]

Great post, I agree with everything stated above. I have seen and experienced the updates which are all positive and necessary.

Prone restraints in particular are extremely dangerous, have caused numerous deaths, and are widely banned.

@LindaRN I'm deeply disturbed and feel nauseous after spending the last hour watching The Tamed Child and the other video clips that you linked on Attachment Therapy.

Where is this legal?

 

[Bugurl747]

Where is this legal?

Hi human, are you talking about restraints or AT?

Here is some insight into AT which was founded by a guy name Foster Cline in the 1970's based in Colorado.

The therapy was primarily for adopted and fostered kiddos. I'm not a big fan of wiki, but it does outline it nicely:

Attachment therapy - Wikipedia

As far as restraints and isolation/seclusion guidelines and regulations, there has been diligence on updating those laws and policies nationally over the last decade. I found a 124 page pdf file that details the State Restraint and Seclusion Laws, Regulations, Rules and Policies effective December 31, 2016

pdf file of http://www.autcom.org/pdf/HowSafeSchoolhouse.pdf

Hope that helps

MOO

 

[human]

Hi human, are you talking about restraints or AT?

Here is some insight into AT which was founded by a guy name Foster Cline in the 1970's based in Colorado.

The therapy was primarily for adopted and fostered kiddos. I'm not a big fan of wiki, but it does outline it nicely:

Attachment therapy - Wikipedia

As far as restraints and isolation/seclusion guidelines and regulations, there has been diligence on updating those laws and policies nationally over the last decade. I found a 124 page pdf file that details the State Restraint and Seclusion Laws, Regulations, Rules and Policies effective December 31, 2016

pdf file of http://www.autcom.org/pdf/HowSafeSchoolhouse.pdf

Hope that helps

MOO

I cannot imagine a place that allows restraints and isolation. Are there such places today?

I was a teacher in MN until 2012. We had children with autism and children with behavior issues in my building.

Even before then we had an occupational therapist that trained us on things such as weighted vests, squeeze balls, mats with texture to sit on. I forget what else.

We had trainings on working with children as children are mainstreamed even from residential treatment. We were taught to document what happens before and ojtvjrst and what happens afterwords to prevent behaviors.

For instance, we learned in a training that a child would always have an issue when entering a room. The psychologist determined it was because there was a bookcase blocking the entire ciew of the room..

The child needed to scan her environemt to determine that it was safe.

For a child with autism, I made a book with pictures so he could follow,the schedule and not become upset by transitions.

Lots to learn about kids.

 

[human]

Cannot fix my errors,

 

[Jim_M]

Cannot fix my errors,

I understood everything, even with any perceived errors Thank you for your viewpoints

 

[HayLouise]

Search for Serenity Dennard moved up to Wednesday

 

[HayLouise]

Serenity Dennard search resumes Wednesday

 

[HayLouise]

More searches will be conducted this week for the missing nine year old, Serenity Dennard. The improved weather will allow for the Sheriff’s Office to conduct air and ground searches starting on Wednesday, March 27th.



Pennington County SO on Twitter

 

[misgrn]

Where is this legal?

I see Bugurl747 shared info.

I can add about PRTF use of them here in SD


We did not use isolation but kids were asked to go or sometimes escorted to a time out room. Ours were not allowed to have doors and staff had to remain in the just outside the doorway. We documented everything the resident did. In cases where the child chose to go to the time out room, staff also was just outside the doorway but the documentation was every 5 minutes. All our time out rooms had cameras too. When the client was calm enough to control their actions and behaviors, the processed the incident (or what upset them if they placed themself in timeout) and then they exited the time out room. Kids that placed themself into or went on their own when staff directed them to go into TO rejoined the group. The length of time the resident was in the time out room largely depended on them. They were released as soon as they calmed, processed, and were ready to follow rules and structure.

Those that were escorted there were typically put on a 24 hour Restricted level (which was the closet to isolation we got). R level required they sit away from peers, typically at the staff desk (at the front of the living area) ,complete a write up about what happened, write letters to their social worker and parents/guardians about what happened and being place on restriction, they may also have a relevant packet assigned. All of that was also processed with staff. They could talk to staff but not their peers without permission and even then communication with peers was very limited. They still participated in groups and required physical activity groups but had to be by staff. They could have incoming calls but lost the privilege to call out for 24 hours. They missed out on fun activities(TV, games, crafts) too. If they had a higher level prior to the incident they lost that too and started over at level 1 once they were off restriction. If they got all their paperwork done, we had a little tub of things they could use- like puzzles, clay, coloring sheets, word finds, etc. The 24 hours included sleep time and school time. Kids on run procedures was somewhat similar but a lot more involved

Restraints and Escorts could only be used when a resident is a danger to self or others..like a serious danger to self, not like them using their finger nail to self harm. Danger to others included assault type things, possibly pushing a peer if they continued to escalate. As I previously stated, we could not touch a child to prevent or stop them from running away.

Orders were required for every restraint but we could start a restraint/escort and then call if it was an emergency type situation. All restraints and escorts had a staff or the order writer monitoring. Only certain staff were trained and licensed to be an order writer..sorry I can't remember the specifics but I believe it was a 4 year degree that was related to social work or psychology.

All escorts and restraints were documented via an incident report and a documentation log.

Restraints and escorts were last resort type thing. All staff had a minimum number of our crisis mgmt training hours required per year and we did refreshers. Staff cannot place their hands on the residents until they were certified in crisis mgmt program. That training also included a ton of de-escalation techniques.

Prone restraints weren't illegal (not sure if they are now) but we rarely used them. There are very strict guidelines regarding who cam even be placed in a prone position. Weight, health conditions like asthma, former trauma, etc all play into that. If they could be used it was a 1 min limit before they had to be moved into another position.

We were not licensed for medical restraints, the use of restraint chairs, tie to hold clients. Our restraints were hands on only and we could use spit masks.

Upon admission, residential staff were given intake info that included which restraints could be used on that particular client and those that were not permitted. Like I mentioned health conditions, weight, age, size all impact that but so does the type of abuse a client suffered.

There were a variety of holds and we always tried the least restrictive hold. There were single person and multi person holds. There was a time limit for each specific hold. The staff monitoring the restraint made sure the holds were done correctly, that staff didn't need to be switched out, and they were the only one talking to the client. Less people talking is easier for the clients.

We always tried to avoid restraints and escorts but sometimes they were necessary for safety reasons. Not gonna lie, I hated them and got really good at my de-escalation skills so I could avoid them as much as possible!

Staff were trained in a variety of things to try and de-escalte the situation. We were also informed of things going on with the client that might cause issues so we could be proactive. The clinical team did a great job of giving us other interventions that might help too. We also gave the therapist ideas of things that could help.

Just a note: As I said I am more familiar with CHS Sioux Falls Children's Home than I am Black Hills Children's Home but they operate similar programs. I know they use timeouts and they have restraint training program too. I am not familiar with the program they use because my center used a different one. I know it was similar to ours though. They used some of the same holds but also used very different ones due to the younger ages of their clients. They also used some different de-escalation techniques for that same reason.

 

[Monkey boy]

I worked at childrens care in Sioux Falls we were trained to use restraint holds on kids that would hurt themselves or others. I don't think anything like this was ever used on serenity she wasn't violent.

 

[flashy09]

I still can't understand why there is so little talk of a kidnapping. Why isn't she being shown all over the national news - I know hundreds of children are missing and only specific cases that tick the boxes get media coverage, but I think the fact she escaped from a children's home should be enough to garner interest. Is it lack of funding from the foster parents? Is that how most of the these stories get national coverage?

Was she seen twice or just once? I know she was seen by the gate and then I remember hearing something about walking on Rockerville Rd. Was that the same sighting or two separate ones?

I think that shows she didn't bolt into the woods, she was following the road. The place looks absolutely in the middle of nowhere and there are two very close by sex offenders. Not to mention any random crime of opportunity person driving by. I think her face needs to be everywhere! Keep searching for her body in the woods, but also try to find her alive like Jayme Closs or Elizabeth Smart!

 

[MsGazette]

To my knowledge BHCH doesn't use any corporal punishment or any Attachment Therapies like mentioned in previous posts. My former center did not either. As far as I know that is illegal in these types of residential facilities. Yes, I know it still happens in some facilities, foster homes, private placements, etc.

There are very strict guidelines as to when and how staff can place their hands on a resident regarding escorts and restraints. Any incidents were evaluated in-center and then by agencies outside of the center. DSS, licensing, accreditation agencies all could be involved.

We also had inspections each year too where they: interviewed several random children; interviewed random staff; looked at all our policies, procedures, and protocols; went through staff personnel files; checked all center documentation-logs, incident reports, etc; toured the facility; check on trainings offered and checked to make sure all staff met those requirements; and more.

All of this is the same for the facility I’m familiar with. Great post.

 

[Monkey boy]

I still can't understand why there is so little talk of a kidnapping. Why isn't she being shown all over the national news - I know hundreds of children are missing and only specific cases that tick the boxes get media coverage, but I think the fact she escaped from a children's home should be enough to garner interest. Is it lack of funding from the foster parents? Is that how most of the these stories get national coverage?

Was she seen twice or just once? I know she was seen by the gate and then I remember hearing something about walking on Rockerville Rd. Was that the same sighting or two separate ones?

I think that shows she didn't bolt into the woods, she was following the road. The place looks absolutely in the middle of nowhere and there are two very close by sex offenders. Not to mention any random crime of opportunity person driving by. I think her face needs to be everywhere! Keep searching for her body in the woods, but also try to find her alive like Jayme Closs or Elizabeth Smart!

I agree totally...I think I mentioned earlier that the stock show was going on in rapid that weekend and Sunday ( February 3rd was the last day) a lot of people from all around the state and neighboring states come to it.... Also there is a man missing in rapid city dale Vann....he has been missing since March 8th don't know the story but seems weird too me and probably no connection?