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Educational Options Troubled Teens The adolescent years can be very difficult and trying for both adolescents and parents alike. Being young today is starkly different from what it was a generation ago, especially in a society where children have more material goods, are exposed to greater negative influences in the media and have more independence than ever before. Children from elementary to high school are more likely to commit acts of violence, abuse drugs and alcohol, or engage in risky sexual behavior than their parents. Test scores and academic performance have also declined. A greater number of adolescents are in therapy for emotional/behavioral issues and many more are being diagnosed with serious psychiatric disorders. When the situation reaches a point where both parents and student feel so ineffective in solving their problems and no significant shifts in behavior with their child are occurring, it may be time to look at other options. When fallout between parents and their adolescent begins to affect their other children, everyone begins to wonder if life will ever get better. When parents are filled with uncertainty and a lack of direction; when they feel hopeless, in crisis, overwhelmed with choices and decisions they feel inadequate in making, Ms. Kahn can help alleviate some of the confusion. She will provide a clear course of action, serving as a filter for the multitude of information which is available to parents, as well as a sounding board and finally, as someone who can guide them toward the right choice for their child. Residential programs often produce profound changes in the children they serve. Removing the child from their school or neighborhood and placing them in a controlled environment allows them to focus on their inner self and often leads to behavioral change. Ms. Kahn’s mission is to halt the cycle of failure and introduce new patterns of happiness and success, for struggling clients, with one or more of the following challenges: Depression/Bipolar Disorder Anxiety disorders School phobia School failure Adoption issues Attention Deficit Disorder Learning Disabilities Autism spectrum disorders Neurological impairments Oppositional Defiant Disorder Reactive Attachment Disorder Aggression, Runaway history Substance abuse Sexual abuse, promiscuity or perpetration Eating disorders Legal problems As an educational consultant assisting clients with special needs, it is crucial Ms. Kahn stays up to date with what is happening in the industry. Therefore, she regularly visits programs who serve students with these disorders, in order to assess the physical condition of the schools, type of populations they serve and efficiency of the staff who are running them. Back to top Emotional Growth/Therapeutic Boarding Schools Even good kids from loving families can slide into drugs and alcohol, fail at school and break the law. Bright children, with caring parents can lose their way, become angry, anxious or depressed. The best adolescents can fall in with a bad crowd, engage in unhealthy sexual behavior, defy authority or run away from home. A seriously troubled child can create a crisis for the entire family. Parents are often at the point of desperation, as they struggle to stop their child from engaging in self-destructive behaviors. Even the most dedicated parents sometimes feel they have no influence or control. They feel like their families are being torn apart and there is no hope. But there are solutions. Our job is to help provide a plan of action. Students struggling with acting out behavior, as well as issues of poor self-esteem, often complicated by a negative self-concept arising from learning issues, can find success through a structured, emotional growth school environment. Typically geared up for the non-traditional student, these schools offer social, emotional, physical, and spiritual guidance, in addition to educational enrichment. Designed for the student who has displayed a history of underperformance, both personal and academic. Troubled teens come to these schools from a broad spectrum of family backgrounds, the majority of which come from well-educated, financially sound families. Emotional growth/therapeutic schools work with students to permanently change negative behaviors and self-perceptions through a nurturing, supportive curriculum, offering counseling within the academic environment. Group and individual therapy becomes an integral component in these programs and forms the cornerstone to a student’s overall success. Equine therapy may be used as an adjunct therapy. Work chores are often integrated into the program to develop effective work ethics and build self-esteem. Components of residential treatment, traditional boarding school, family living, as well as experiential education, make up these programs. Most offer a family education component and/or regional family support groups. Experiential education opportunities and team sports are offered. Community service components are integrated into the program. The typical stay is 12 – 30 months and programs serve anywhere from 30-150 teens. Cost range from $2,500 to $10,000 per month. Back to top Wilderness Programs (Outdoor Therapeutic) Wilderness programs are therapeutic adventure programs with a focus on clinical intervention and assessment. They use the outdoors as a platform to explore painful, personal issues in a nature based environment. Trained therapists and a peer group culture are used to initiate a cycle of change. These programs are highly effective for teens that are defiant, show a sense of entitlement, lack self-esteem/confidence, are experiencing family conflict, have poor impulse control, may be chemically dependent, underachieving or angry. The wilderness setting removes modern distractions, simplifies choices and teaches valuable lessons. As a result, students begin to accept responsibility for personal decisions, address individual and family issues, and become invested in their character development. In a small group of 8 to 10 students, students gain insight into their behavior, develop short and long-range plans, construct shelters, prepare meals and plan activities. No behavior goes unnoticed or unaddressed. As the student begins to build relationships with both peers and counselors and becomes part of the group, he begins to achieve a feeling of self-respect and understanding of others, as well as pride. These programs are often used for as an initial intervention in a plan to assist a family with a long range placement. A “trek” type model is used, where small groups of teens, along with several staff (clinical supervisor, wilderness guide, counselors and EMT) leave a base camp and hike or trek in wilderness areas, carrying all their needs in backpacks. Little or no academics are provided. Weekly phone calls to the family take place with the primary therapist. Letter writing, progress reports, training sessions and family weekend are often included. Teens are often resistant to placement and must be professionally escorted to the program. The typical stay ranges from 21 to 120 days and serve small groups from 4-10 teens. Costs from $250- $450 per day, or $14,000 to $16.000+ for a 42 day length stay. Back to top Residential Treatment Programs Residential Treatment Centers focus on behavioral support and are suitable for teens that have not benefited from outpatient counseling. They need a safe, highly structured, psychologically sophisticated setting. Some common characteristics or diagnoses among these teens include, anger, oppositional defiance, Conduct Disorder, self-destructive behaviors, ie. Cutting, chemical dependency, eating disorders, neurological impairments, Bi-polar disorder, Borderline personality, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. These programs provide comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis, stabilization and medication management. Intensive individual and family therapy is part of the weekly regimen. Family involvement may include seminars, parent education and family therapy. These are typically locked or facilities with restricted access. Many are JCAHO accredited; meaning third party reimbursement through insurance is possible. The typical stay is 6-12+ months and programs serve from 30-150 teens. Costs range from $2,500 to $10,000 per month. Back to top Home Based/Family Style Programs Through spiritual, emotional, and physical training, these programs teach teens how to be accountable, respectful, and productive in all the areas of their life. Integration into “family life” is a key component. Programs are often situated in rural areas (farm or ranch). Individual and group therapy is provided; oftentimes equine therapy is a focus. Some offer home schooling, but most integrate the participants into the local public or private schools in the area. Volunteer work is often integrated into the curriculum. School sports and activities are encouraged. Substance abuse counseling and 12-step meetings are often a part of the process. These programs are small, usually serving between 10-12 students. The typical stay is 12-18 months. Costs range from $3500-$8000 per month. Back to top   Home / About/Experience / Why Hire Us / Educational Options / Parent Feedback / Contact Us / Resources / FAQ © 2005 LINDY KAHN ASSOCIATES, INC. 6717 Vanderbilt | Houston, Texas 77005 14090 Southwest Freeway, Suite 300 | Sugar Land, Texas 77478 Phone: 713-668-2609; Toll-Free 800 664-2609 | Fax: 713-668-4551 Email: info@educationalconsulting.com