Encourage the client to wear his or her own clothes, talk to friends on the phone, and interact with other clients who have similar illnesses.

Make all treatment and care decisions; the preteen is too young to have any responsibility for his or her own care.

Encourage the client to keep his or her limitations foremost in mind when trying a new skill or task at which his or her peers have begun to excel.

Create a clear list of behavioral rules to give the client when he or she arrives.