- March 5, 2021
- Autism
- by The New Focus Team
As parents, we want to believe that we can meet all of our teen’s needs at home. But the reality is that some children can actually benefit more from time away from home in a supportive environment where they can work with peers and mental health professionals.
What is a Residential Treatment Center?
A residential treatment center, or RTC, offers high-quality, long-term mental health care within a structured, homelike setting that contributes to healing and a sense of community. Residents build self-esteem and learn new social skills by contributing in some way to the residential community and/or to the community outside the residence. This might include working or volunteering with businesses and community organizations.
Benefits for Teens on the Spectrum
Community: Building social skills is an important part of any teen’s development. An RTC provides an automatic community. This small community is designed to help students feel comfortable in social settings and not feel overwhelmed. Students develop appropriate social skills and practice them through experiential activities and daily interactions. For some teens on the spectrum, being in a group of their peers who understand why a social interaction can be challenging or overwhelming, helps them feel understood and supported in a way that cannot in a traditional school setting.
Life Skills: While at an RTC, students learn important life skills, such as being actively involved in meals. They learn skills such as budgeting, planning, preparing, and clean-up, which empowers them to take an active role in nutritional choices.
Mental Health Care: Students at an RTC receive access to a variety of health care support options such as: individual and group therapy, recreational therapy, animal stewardship, and personalized coaching. There is no “one size fits all” therapy option for teens on the spectrum, and this holistic approach can help teens learn what works best for them.
Education: Many teens on the spectrum have had negative experiences in school settings. At a specialized RTC, students’ unique learning abilities are addressed through individualized education programs. As students work towards graduation, they also learn valuable life and vocational skills preparing them for employment.
Gaining Autonomy: For many parents of teens on the spectrum may wonder how their child will cope in the world on their own. RTCs provide daily practice in independence as they work towards autonomy. Here, the focus of treatment becomes how to prepare for independent living and success later in life when they are a college student or employee at a company.\
New Focus Academy Can Help
At New Focus Academy, we know each student comes to us with a unique mind, background, skill set, and personal experience. Our team works with your family and child to find the specific evidence-based approaches that will help to build confidence, social growth, and motivation to become productive and self-sufficient.
Increasing Independence is at the core of our program and belief system. Oftentimes, these young men don’t try anymore because they consider themselves “failures.” We work to disprove this and improve their self-esteem and overall happiness. For more information please call (435) 850-4327.