Tip of the Week: Latham Excels In PWS Residential Placement

More than 8 years ago, we shared a blog post highlighting the “top ten” reasons why Latham Centers excels in residential placement for children and adults with Prader-Willi syndrome. Latham has become internationally renowned for our expertise and success in working with individuals with PWS, and the reasons we succeed have not changed:  

• Our location. Cape Cod is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Our main campus, where our Children’s Services Program is located, is in the historic town of Brewster. Our adult group residences and supported community living locations (Shared Living and Independent Living) are situated in various towns and villages of the Cape, and in Wareham and Plymouth. Each town has its own character, appeal, and unrivaled natural scenery.

• Our Experience.  We have been working with PWS for a long time. Experience is worth a lot and we have a lot of it. Since 1980, we have been working with individuals with PWS and have been honing our skills since then. Each day we learn more, and each day our services improve.

• Friendships.  For many of our students and adult residents, coming to Latham is like discovering a home they never knew they had. For the first time, many of them now have peers who are also diagnosed with PWS. Having friends and relationships with people who really understand builds bonds and creates a sense of belonging, as well as a sense of security.

• Food Security.  When the food is secure, individuals with PWS can concentrate on the rest of their life. All Latham buildings and residences are food secure. By doing our part to make “food” a non-issue, our participants find it easier to focus on other aspects of their lives.

• Delicious, nutritious meals. Our PWS menu provides high-quality nutrition that is delicious and varied. The menu is structured and predictable. Our students and adult residents know well beforehand what the meal is and how much of it they are going to get. This consistency is crucial to what we do.  (Earlier this year, we published Living Healthy with Prader-Willi Syndrome: Cookbook and Nutrition Tips to share some of our “recipes for success”.)  

• Leadership and Professional Development. Our staff are leaders in the field. As noted, experience can be priceless. Latham staff are highly trained, including trainings specific to working with individuals with PWS. Each staff member attends a two-week orientation and ongoing trainings and staff meetings, and has exposure to outside experts on PWS and the support of other highly trained and experienced colleagues. Our staff are the ones who make the program exceptional!

• Activities. At Latham, we offer lots and lots of vibrant opportunities. Both our Adult Services program and Children’s Services program offer numerous experiences, outings, activities, and events. The lives of our students and adults are full of engagement, learning, and enjoyment. Whether it is learning through vocational opportunities, enjoying a horseback riding class, creating a work of art, performing in a musical event, or attending a dance with their friends—wonderful opportunities are abundant.

• Latham focuses on the whole person. This sets Latham apart. Prader-Willi syndrome is expressed differently in individuals and needs individualized treatment. It is not just a “food disorder” or an issue of creating a solid behavior plan to address issues. It is far more than that, and the treatment needs to be fully integrated and based on knowledge of the syndrome. Our entire program has been created to specifically support the students and individuals in our care.

• The program is a lot of fun. Our students and individuals create wonderful lives while they are with us. As staff members, it is a rare privilege to witness how a new member of our Latham community can blossom in this environment.

• Latham gets it.  As a parent, teacher, referring agency, or individual with PWS, if you have talked to the outside world about PWS, you understand what this statement means. Here at Latham, we have been in this special field for decades, and we understand the many special challenges of the syndrome.

Patrice Carroll is Latham Centers’ world-renowned Prader-Willi syndrome specialist. She works with Latham’s residents with PWS, their families, and consultants, continuously learning and teaching about PWS best practices. Do you have questions for our PWS specialist? Submit your “tip” topics or general questions to TipTopics@LathamCenters.org.