Southfield, Mich.-based Straith Hospital has opened a specialized behavioral health unit designed to serve children and adolescents with “profound autism and severe behavioral challenges.”
The 16,630-square-foot unit has 12 inpatient beds for 24/7 care and provides behavior analysis as well as psychiatric and medical services, according to a Feb. 9 news release shared with Becker’s. Length of stay is individualized based on each child’s needs and progress. The department also offers a comprehensive outpatient day program for care six to eight hours a day, five days a week.
The unit was established to address gaps in care for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and complex behavioral needs, according to the release. Autism affects approximately one in 31 children in the U.S., according to the CDC. Limited in-state programs have led to long waiting lists and emergency room placements, according to the release.
The program was made possible by a $19.1 million grant awarded by the Michigan Health and Hospital Association in 2023.
