This manual is a programed learning tool for mental health professionals which teaches child and adolescent patient management skills to be used in a residential psychiatric care setting. The introduction to the paper describes the basic differences between adult and child psychiatry; behaviors that are abnormal for adults, such as having imaginary friends or elaborate rituals are normal for children. The programed learning text consists of brief patient problem scenarios with possible answers from which to select. The user is then given the correct response with the reasoning behind it. The 14 topics dealt with include refusing to get up, personal hygiene, smoking, power struggles, scapegoating, removing a disruptive child from the classroom, refusing to see a doctor, cursing, demanding to go to the low stimulus area, refusing medications, crisis management, refusing to participate, possessive-aggressive argument, and sexual activity. (ABL)