Early identification of youth who will exhibit the most challenging behavior during the course of a residential stay would allow clinicians to allocate limited resources to best manage these youth. Seclusion/restraint procedures were examined for 156 youth in two public residential facilities from July 2000-September 2005. Few seclusion/restraints occurred in the first month, but this peaked in months two and three. Youth subgroups with different trajectories for the frequency of seclusion/restraint use were distinguishable by the first 60 days. By the second month in residence clinicians can identify youth who will continue to exhibit challenging behavior. 2 figures, 2 tables, and 27 references (Published Abstract)