Keeping Faith in Therapeutic Programs
There has been a considerable amount of media attention given recently to students who were terribly mistreated while residents of various therapeutic treatment programs. The reports that kids were abused in any way are chilling. Recent programming that has exposed a void of oversight and regulation for healthcare businesses, especially those having responsibility for helping children and young adults, is truly shocking. It is incredibly difficult to imagine that any such facility could exist.
While we know that the current reports reference treatment that mostly occurred over 20 years ago and that those coming forward aim to correct the wrongs of former years, it is important not to paint all therapeutic programs with the same brush. There are so many that are successfully and appropriately providing help to troubled and behaviorally challenged teens and their families.
For kids who are out of control and exhibiting self-destructive behaviors and for whom parents have exhausted other possible avenues of help, placement in an environment away from home with well-trained and credentialed staff has the best potential to appropriately help the child discover why they are acting out and guide them to self-improvement. Parents should be cautious, and discovering the right placement for their child is crucial. However, there is a correct way of selecting the best, most appropriate, safe, and secure environment.
Don’t do the research alone. Get help! Having an expert guiding you can make a huge difference in outcomes. You can find and enlist the professional services of a Therapeutic and Educational Consultant through IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association), or other associations that have well-established experience and ethical certification standards. Establish that your consultant has appropriate credentials and first-hand knowledge of the recommended programs and their staff.
If your child has a therapist, ask for a referral.
Don’t rely only on what you read on the internet. While, in general, there are many excellent programs, you will want to find the specific programs that have the staff, environment, and resident kids that will best support what will be best suited for your child. One size does not fit all.
It is best that the Independent Consultant you choose is compensated solely by the fee you pay and not by an individual program so you can feel confident that they have your child’s best and unbiased interest as their sole concern.
Your therapeutic consultant should examine testing and school records to get an accurate picture of your child. A skilled therapeutic consultant will recognize and understand the setting, the staff qualifications, the current student makeup, and insights about a particular program to make sure it’s the right one for your child. They should also discuss what might be on the horizon as “next steps.”
It is a very difficult decision for parents to seek a residential placement for their child, and it helps to have a competent guide making recommendations to safe programs that respect your child, no matter how challenging their behaviors may be. As parents, we worry about our kids no matter what, and there are no guarantees in life. However, having the benefit of an experienced professional who will be available throughout the entire journey can make a big difference.