Military schools and boot-camp programs benefit some troubled youth by providing order, discipline and structure. Some students thrive on the structured lifestyle and the intense physical and mental challenges that are a part of the schools' standard training. Others find the experience so unpleasant that it motivates them to change their behavior to avoid being kept in, or sent back to, the school. However, other students react negatively to military discipline. Students already struggling with anger issues sometimes come away learning that yelling, verbal abuse and aggressive behavior towards others are keys to power. Note that military-type schools for troubled youths are distinct from those open to the general student population: the latter often have selective admissions policies and usually do not admit students who do not personally choose to enroll.
Wilderness therapy teaches young people to take responsibility for their lives by learning to survive in primitive wilderness conditions. Proponents believe that troubled youths benefit from being immersed full-time in a new environment away from familiar distractions (such as electronic media and bad social influences) and gain confidence and self-respect by learning practical survival skills. Parents interested in placing a child in a wilderness program should investigate the qualifications and methods used by counselors in the programs and ensure the child will be placed in a group with appropriate peers. Freestanding programs, as well as schools, offer short-term wilderness therapy; ideally, a young person should stay in such a program for seven to nine weeks for maximum benefit.
Other schools offer a variety of approaches to helping troubled youth. Schools with a Christian orientation emphasize discipline, rewards for good behavior and Christian messages of redemption. Some alternative schools for troubled teens adhere to an inclusive philosophy that youths learn best when given a say in their education; these schools emphasize cooperative learning and allow students a voice in shaping school programs. Still others combine conventional classroom learning with intensive one-on-one and/or group therapy to promote behavior modification. Parents should consider their own philosophical views and the needs and temperament of their child when choosing a program.
The number and range of options for educating a troubled child can be daunting. The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) recommends finding an accredited educational consultant to help you sort out the choices. When evaluating your options, you and your consultant should ask the following questions:
Is the school fully licensed and accredited?
What are the qualifications of the staff providing treatment?
What is the school's guiding philosophy?
How does the school discipline its students?
Who are its students?
Is the school prepared to treat children with problems like mine?
What is the school's academic record?
How does the school assess student progress?
What is its treatment record?
Is the school a financially viable option for my family?