The children described in this study were residentially treated for their persistent conduct disorders. Their history is characterized by repetitive separations from their primary caretakers who were emotionally insufficiently available to them due to their own psychiatric disturbances. This resulted in a disturbed separation-individuation process for these children. They did not attain the level of object and self constancy described by Mahler and McDevitt. One of the main treatment goals for these children has been to help them develop object relations with object constancy characterics instead of merely need-satisfying object relations. To achieve this goal graduated satisfaction of their needs is necessary. During treatment they learn above all to experience pleasure in their capacity to function in spite of the physical absence of adults because they no longer lose their inner contact with them. They learn to discover that out of sight does not mean out of mind.