A Controlled Evaluation of the Therapeutic Effectiveness of a Psychiatric Day Centre for Pre-School Children

Abstract

The progress over one year of 25 children aged 2½ to 3½ years attending a psychiatric day centre was compared with that of 25 similarly disturbed 3-year-old children identified in a total population study. There were few differences in outcome, and those that were found did not particularly favour either group. Implications for the organization of treatment services are discussed in terms of the need to lay down clear objectives and to pursue systematic controlled evaluation.