Taxonomy and Treatment:

Abstract

Child and youth care stands at the threshold of a development in which the movement to full professional status involves, among other things, the initiation of and participation in, descriptive, taxonomic, evaluative and follow-up research of programs for children and youth. It is argued, in particular, that if progress is to be made, then there must be a fit between carefully-designed programs and clearly defined client groups. This principle is illustrated by a taxonomic anal is of data on 518 residents at two residential centers for emotionally-disturbed children and youth. A special study has been made of 58 adopted children within this population: these 58 children can be allocated to at least eight different groups, each identifying a different pattern of adoption breakdown and psych010gical need in the child. he implications for child cafe programming are discussed.