Educational Consulting
Serving Special Needs and At-Risk Youth
Serving Special Needs and At-Risk Youth
Access Education Services has first hand knowledge about these programs and how each can help families in desperate need of change.
Wilderness Programs
Wilderness Programs are often used as the first step in stabilizing the child and assessing the child’s current needs. These programs typically run from 6 to 9 weeks. The child will hike into the wilderness with other children in the program, experienced wilderness guides and clinical counselors. Children carry backpacks with sleeping bags, clothing, food, water and other basic needs. These programs are very effective for children who are currently oppositional, abusing drugs, underachieving and angry. Wilderness programs will not fix the underlying problems, but they do help the parents and consultant to assess the child’s needs so that appropriate planning and program recommendations can be made. Do not expect your child to go willingly.
Therapeutic Boarding School
Therapeutic Boarding Schools or Emotional Growth Schools are for students who have a history of substance abuse, behavioral issues, special needs and/or learning difficulties. These schools are open year round with rolling admissions. These schools provide a balance of academics, emotional development through individual and group therapy, experiential education and team sports. The average length of stay can range from 12 to 24 months, depending on the student’s needs.
Residential Treatment Centers
Residential Treatment Centers (RTC’s) are for youth who are in need of consistently high levels of psychiatric and behavioral support and counseling (individual, family and group), and who may be on a medication regime. There is a very high level of supervision, consistency and structure, providing awake staff 24/7, low staff to youth ratio, and usually a behavioral level system including incentives. RTC’s offer accredited academics, counseling and therapeutic recreational activities which may include equine therapy, karate, yoga, ropes courses, sports, and the arts. The average length of stay is 4 to 12 months.
Diagnostic Placements
There are times when it is necessary for the youth to undergo a comprehensive assessment in order to provide the parents and consultant with baseline information to determine an appropriate plan of action. Diagnostic placements are made to secure medical facilities that provide individual and group therapy, 24 hour observation and, when needed, prescriptions of or adjustments to psychotropic medications. The treatment and assessment is overseen by a medical doctor and a psychiatrist. The average length of stay can range from a few weeks to a few months.
Transition Programs
Transition programs are for young adults (high school graduates or older) who are not quite ready to transition to college or independent living. Typically the young adult has struggled with issues such as substance or alcohol abuse, low self-esteem, or mental health diagnoses, and often lacks maturity. Some may need key credits to graduate from high school. These programs offer guidance and structure to help young adults learn skills necessary for them to function more independently and confidently in society. Transition program placements usually last from three months to 18 months.
Wilderness Programs
Wilderness Programs are often used as the first step in stabilizing the child and assessing the child’s current needs. These programs typically run from 6 to 9 weeks. The child will hike into the wilderness with other children in the program, experienced wilderness guides and clinical counselors. Children carry backpacks with sleeping bags, clothing, food, water and other basic needs. These programs are very effective for children who are currently oppositional, abusing drugs, underachieving and angry. Wilderness programs will not fix the underlying problems, but they do help the parents and consultant to assess the child’s needs so that appropriate planning and program recommendations can be made. Do not expect your child to go willingly.
Therapeutic Boarding School
Therapeutic Boarding Schools or Emotional Growth Schools are for students who have a history of substance abuse, behavioral issues, special needs and/or learning difficulties. These schools are open year round with rolling admissions. These schools provide a balance of academics, emotional development through individual and group therapy, experiential education and team sports. The average length of stay can range from 12 to 24 months, depending on the student’s needs.
Residential Treatment Centers
Residential Treatment Centers (RTC’s) are for youth who are in need of consistently high levels of psychiatric and behavioral support and counseling (individual, family and group), and who may be on a medication regime. There is a very high level of supervision, consistency and structure, providing awake staff 24/7, low staff to youth ratio, and usually a behavioral level system including incentives. RTC’s offer accredited academics, counseling and therapeutic recreational activities which may include equine therapy, karate, yoga, ropes courses, sports, and the arts. The average length of stay is 4 to 12 months.
Diagnostic Placements
There are times when it is necessary for the youth to undergo a comprehensive assessment in order to provide the parents and consultant with baseline information to determine an appropriate plan of action. Diagnostic placements are made to secure medical facilities that provide individual and group therapy, 24 hour observation and, when needed, prescriptions of or adjustments to psychotropic medications. The treatment and assessment is overseen by a medical doctor and a psychiatrist. The average length of stay can range from a few weeks to a few months.
Transition Programs
Transition programs are for young adults (high school graduates or older) who are not quite ready to transition to college or independent living. Typically the young adult has struggled with issues such as substance or alcohol abuse, low self-esteem, or mental health diagnoses, and often lacks maturity. Some may need key credits to graduate from high school. These programs offer guidance and structure to help young adults learn skills necessary for them to function more independently and confidently in society. Transition program placements usually last from three months to 18 months.
Megan L. Mercier, M.Ed