Therapeutic Boarding School Criteria for Affordable Boarding School
There are several issues that may warrant the placement of a struggling adolescent in a therapeutic boarding school setting. These issues include, but are not limited to the following: Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Alcohol Abuse, Drug Abuse.
The following are check lists designed by the American Psychiatric Association to help determine the issues or disorders with which an adolescent may be struggling.
If your child appears to be an appropriate candidate for a therapeutic boarding school, as determined by the criteria list, then there are 6
components that should be examined and carefully considered during the search for an appropriate Therapeutic Boarding School..
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Is a pattern of continuing (lasting 6 months) negativistic, hostile, and/or defiant
behavior, during which 4 or more of the following traits are present.
Often loses temper
Often argues with adults
Often actively defies or refuses to comply with adults' rules and/or requests
Often deliberately annoys people
Often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior
Is often "touchy" or easily annoyed by others
Is often angry or resentful
Is often spiteful or vindictive
If the behavior of the child in question fits any 4 of these criteria, a therapeutic boarding school may be a beneficial and necessary placement.
The essential feature of A.D.D./A.D.H.D. is a consistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequent and severe than is typically observed in children at a comparable level of development. If 6 or more of the following traits have been observed within the past 6 months, the child may benefit from further treatment and/or a placement at a therapeutic boarding school.>
Inattention
Often fails to give proper attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or other activities.
Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties.
Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities
If 6 or more of the following traits have been observed within the past 6 months, the child may benefit from further treatment and/or a placement at a therapeutic boarding school.
Hyperactivity-Impulsivity
Often fidgets with hands and feet or squirms in seat
Often leaves seat in the classroom or in other situations where remaining seated is expected
Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (In adolescents, this may be limited to feelings of restlessness and unease)
Often has difficulty engaging in leisure activities quietly
Often "on-the-go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor"
Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
Often talks excessively
Often has difficulty being patient or waiting in line
Often interrupts or intrudes on others
Substance (alcohol or drug) Abuse and Dependency
Adolescent drug and alcohol abuse are widespread and dangerous problems. In this country today, 60% of males and 30% of females have had one or more negative alcohol/drug related experiences. If 2 or more of the following have been observed within the past year, the child may have an alcohol and/or drug dependency or abuse problem which could benefit from the attention and treatment offered by a therapeutic boarding school.
Suffering the aftereffects of alcohol or drug intoxication which causes problems at school or at home.
Repeated episodes (3-4) of observed intoxication.
Use of alcohol or drugs during hazardous activities (i.e. Drinking and driving).
Alcohol or drug related absences from school or family activities.
Alcohol or drug related legal difficulties (i.e Possession of a controlled substance or a Driving Under the Influence charge).
Intoxication at school or at other inappropriate locations.
If the behavior of the child in question fits any 6 of these criteria, a therapeutic boarding school may be a beneficial and necessary placement.