Is Residential Placement the Best Option for my Child or Teen?

All students are entitled by law to receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). This means that schools must create an inclusive learning environment for students with learning disabilities, emotional disorders, neurological differences, and other conditions that can impact learning. In some cases, a student’s needs cannot be met by the school, and temporary placement in a residential school is the best way to provide an education suited to their needs. If your school’s resources aren’t meeting your child’s needs, residential placement might be their best option.

Now you may be thinking, “Send my child away?! I would never!”

Of course, there are valid concerns about removing a child from their home and school environments, and residential placement is only considered after your child’s IEP Team has exhausted every other option. When considering residential placement, it’s important to remember that it’s usually short-term. The goal is to have the student placed in full-time care just long enough to address their reasons for needing it, and then return them to the public or specialized day schooling. Depending on the program and distance, many kids in residential programs can come home for weekends and holidays, or only live in residential settings over the summer. 

With that in mind, if your child has any of the following conditions, residential placement may be worth exploring:

1. Substance abuse

The treatment of substance abuse is complex and requires intensive support from multidisciplinary professionals. Residential programs can be beneficial for students struggling with substance abuse as it removes them from the distractions, influences, and availability of drugs or alcohol that may have been present in their former school settings. Residential school offers a full-time healing environment, allowing them to focus on holistic recovery while meeting academic goals.

Click here for our tips on talking to teens about drugs & alcohol

2. Suicidal behavior

If your child has experienced suicidal ideation or self-harm behaviors, residential programs can provide around-the-clock care to ensure their safety. Unlike traditional school staff, the staff at these facilities are extensively trained in psychiatric care, better preparing them to understand your child’s needs and respond effectively in crisis situations. Their personalized support can also help the student catch up to grade-level proficiencies if depression has caused them to fall behind. Academic studies are accompanied by individual and group therapy to foster emotional health alongside of traditional schoolwork. These facilities are often located in rural settings with ample outdoor space to promote physical activity, self-care, and mindfulness.

3. Deafness and/or blindness

While moderate sensory loss can frequently be managed with accommodations, the needs of deaf and blind students often exceed what typical public schools are equipped to provide. There are schools throughout the country which provide both specialized equipment and curriculums designed for visually and hearing-impaired students. Many of these schools offer both day school and full-time residential options. 

In California, the California School for the Deaf provides specialized education for deaf children with varying hearing levels including early childhood, elementary school, middle school, and high school education. Additionally, the OCDE Regional Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program provides quality opportunities for 7-12 grade students. However, schools like these are not in every community, and there are cases in which students require a higher degree of support than such programs offer, often making full-time residency the best choice. These schools teach both academic and non-academic subjects to help deaf and blind students navigate challenges and thrive in various aspects of life. 

To learn more information about the specialize education opportunities for deaf children in California, click here for the California School for the deaf and here for the OCDE Regional Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program.

4. Behavioral problems & emotional disturbances

Emotional disturbances pervasively impair a student’s mood, feelings, and behaviors, and consequently strain their relationships with teachers and peers. Severe manifestations of emotional disturbances include internal behaviors directed at oneself (i.e., self-harm), and external behaviors directed at others (i.e., irritability, oppositionality, and rule-breaking). Residential schools with an emotional disturbance specialty adhere to strict behavioral systems that use positive reinforcement to increase desired behaviors, and consequences to reduce problem behaviors. Behavioral therapy and character building are integrated within academics to help students gain tools for improving their mood, emotional regulation, behaviors, and relationships. 

5. Other health impairments

Other Health Impairments (OHI) is a broad category of conditions recognized under IDEA that can impede a student’s ability to succeed in academic and social settings. A few conditions commonly recognized in OHI include Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Sometimes these conditions manifest so severely that impacted students may benefit from temporary residential care. 

6. Severe learning disability

Many students with specific learning disabilities (SLDs) can receive adequate support within a typical public class structure or nonpublic school placement. However, students with severe symptoms can benefit from residential placement with peers who face similar challenges. These schools have educators who are extensively trained in supporting severe presentations of SLDs such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Residential placement for an SLD alone is uncommon, but some students with SLDs have co-occurring emotional disturbances that make residential placement beneficial. 

Think your child may have a diagnosis? Set up your free 15-minute consultation below to learn about our diagnostic testing services

7. Severe intellectual & developmental delays

Whenever possible, it is preferable for kids with intellectual and developmental delays to learn in a typical classroom setting while receiving special instruction and related services. However, students who are severely nonverbal or non-ambulatory are often dependent on others for daily activities, requiring intensive around-the-clock care that a typical classroom cannot provide. Students with cerebral palsy, for example, may experience extreme difficulty with speaking, writing, eating, or using the bathroom. These students can sometimes be better served in a residential setting with smaller class sizes and specially trained staff who are trained to administer around-the-clock care.

8. Autism Spectrum Disorder

Schools that specialize in teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can provide structured environments designed around students’ needs, routines, sensitivities, and learning differences. In addition to academics, these schools help students work toward social and behavioral goals both in and out of the classroom. Residential programs are particularly beneficial for students with ASD who require 24/7 care or who have co-occurring disorders or medical issues.

How Variations Can Help 

Residential placement can be immensely beneficial in several circumstances, but it’s an emotionally challenging decision for parents. Even after deciding that residential placement is the right path for your child, determining the type of placement that will meet their needs requires extensive research and consideration. At Variations, we perform expert diagnostic testing, alongside educational consulting, to help you make an informed decision on the best placement options for your child.

So you know you need help, but aren’t sure how
to find the right help?  

If a loved one has a learning difference or other condition that impacts their mental health and education, you may feel lost in determining the best ways to support them. 

Our Diagnosticians can provide psychological testing to remove the
guess-work and guide your family on the best path toward mental health, emotional wellness, and academic success.

Click below to schedule your free 15-minute consultation

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More about Variations Psychology

Variations Psychology is a group practice specializing in diagnostic testing to identify psychological conditions.

Our comprehensive evaluations test for conditions that impact mental health and development such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, depression, anxiety, learning disorders, and developmental delays.

In addition to diagnostic services, we offer Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) of K-12 students to assess needs for accommodations in school and determine their appropriate placements. IEEs provide an objective second opinion on existing IEP and 504 Plans.

For K-12 and post-secondary students, we offer evaluations to assess needs for accommodations on standardized tests, college entrance exams (e.g. - SAT, ACT, AP Exams), and graduate and professional licensing exams (e.g. - MCAT, LSAT, GRE, CBEST, NCLEX, GMAT, CA Cosmetology Exam, CA Contractors State Licensing Exam, CA Bar Exam).

Schedule your free 15-minute consultation below to learn how our diagnostic services can support you and your family. 

Variations Psychology is located in Newport Beach, CA and provides psychological testing to residents throughout Orange County and its surrounding areas including Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Irvine, Shady Canyon, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Coto de Caza, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Yorba Linda, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Pelican Hill, Crystal Cove, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, Lake Forest, Huntington Beach, Sunset Beach, Seal Beach, and more.

References:

Best Residential Treatment Centers For Troubled Youth (n.d.) Best Therapeutic Boarding Schools. Retrieved from https://besttherapeuticboardingschools.com/best-residential-treatment-centers-for-troubled-youth/ 

Center for Autism Research Autism Roadmap (n.d.) Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Retrieved from https://www.carautismroadmap.org/placement-options-for-school-age-students-receiving-special-education-services/ 

Mangal, S. K. (2012). Educating Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education. PHI Learning Limited, Delhi.

Other Educational Settings (n.d.) The New York City Department of Education. Retrieved from https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/special-education/school-settings/other-educational-settings

Residential schools and disabled children: decision-making experiences (2001). Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/residential-schools-and-disabled-children-decision-making-and-experiences 

School for Depressed or Suicidal Teens Are Available (n.d.) The School Solution. Retrieved from https://theschoolsolution.com/school-depressed-suicidal-teens/ 

Singh, Manpreet (2020). Severity levels of dyslexia. Number Dyslexia. Retrieved from https://numberdyslexia.com/severity-levels-of-dyslexia/ 

What is the Most Appropriate Placement for Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired? (n.d.) Family Connect for Parents of Visually Impaired Children. Retrieved from https://familyconnect.org/education/your-childs-educational-team-and-placement/most-appropriate-placement/ 

Shinn. M.M. (2019). Could My Teen Have Autism? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/could-my-teen-have-autism 

Shinn. M.M. (2020). Detecting Dyslexia: Could My Kid Have It? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/detecting-dyslexia-could-my-kid-have-it 

Shinn. M.M. (2022). Dealing with Dysgraphia: 7 Steps to Help Your Child Overcome Writing Challenges. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/7-steps-to-help-your-child-overcome-writing-challenges 

Shinn. M.M. (2019). How Can My Family Master Mindfulness? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/how-can-my-family-master-mindfulness 

Shinn. M.M. (2019). How Do I Talk to My Teen About Drugs and Alcohol? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from: https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/how-do-i-talk-to-my-teen-about-drugs-and-alcohol 

Shinn. M.M. (2021). Is My Child or Teen Depressed? 10 Tell-Tale Questions to Consider. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/is-my-child-or-teen-depressed-10-tell-tale-questions-to-consider

Shinn, M.M. (2019). My Kid is So Defiant! Is it My Fault? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/my-kid-is-so-defiant-is-it-my-fault 

 Shinn. M.M. (2019). Preventing Suicide in Students: How 3-6 Questions Can Save Lives. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from: https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/preventing-student-suicide-with-just-a-few-simple-questions 

Shinn. M.M. (2021). The 1-2-3’s of FBAs and BIPs: A Parent’s Guide to Student Behavioral Plans. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/a-parents-guide-to-student-behavioral-plans 

Shinn. M.M. Understanding Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): A Parent’s Guide to Educational Placements). 2022. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/test-blog/understanding-least-restrictive-environment-lre-a-parents-guide-to-educational-placements 

Shinn. M.M. (2022). Understanding Supports, Services, Accommodations, Modifications & Placements. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/understanding-supports-services-accommodations-modifications-placements 

Shinn. M.M. (2021). Why is Math So Hard for My Kid? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/why-is-math-so-hard-for-my-kid-wctwz 

Shinn, M.M. (2018). How to STOP Anxiety in its Tracks.  Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post].  Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/how-to-stop-anxiety-in-its-tracks 

How to Cite This Blog Article:

Shinn. M.M. (Is Residential Placement the Best Option for My Child or Teen?). 2023. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/is-residential-placement-the-best-option-for-my-child-or-teen