Gillis | for children and families since 1870

Gillis Stories - John's Story

The PACT (Parents and Children Together) program staff received a request to provide in-home therapy for John, a 10-year-old with behavioral problems. He would get angry and out of control and would not listen to his parents. He was having problems at school. The previous school year he had been suspended for fighting with peers, not listening to his teachers, and causing trouble on the school bus.

John’s parents would discipline him, ground him, and take away his privileges. All to no avail. Staff learned that Dad was not very involved in this disciplining because he “worked all day and was tired at night.” He would become involved when Mom became angry.

John appeared to be a bright, healthy male who enjoyed sports. In talking with him he said he didn’t know why he got in so much trouble. He knew that he got frustrated when his mom and teachers told him what to do. He wanted to get along better with everyone.

Staff worked with the parents and helped them understand that John was having trouble understanding what he needed to do. He didn’t have a lack of motivation. He was slow in developing certain skills and he had trouble using them when he needed them.

The family began using skills we taught them. Dad got involved again and he and mom had a plan they could both work. They were able to manage their lives in a helpful way.

About a month later, staff received a call from John’s school. John’s counselor wanted to find out what had changed. He was doing so much better in school. Mom had told the school staff about the skills the family had been taught. PACT staff talked with the counselor about the work they had done with the family. Everyone was excited about the change in John and his relationships with his family and teachers and classmates.

Stories

RIT has been working with Gillis since July 2005. They come to campus the first Sunday or every month and do activities with the boys which provide fitness, fun and nutritional education.

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Gillis News

As part of their community service hours at Rockhurst High School, two young men volunteered at Gillis, working with the residential students. One day they looked around and realized that the common areas were not what they, as “typical” teenagers, would like to look at every day. So, they undertook a cottage renovation project. READ MORE

Gillis is part of Cornerstones of Care, a partnership of agencies providing therapeutic treatment services for children and families.