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When giving up on your teen is not the solution!

By Stephen C. Schultz






We’ve all been there! Whether you have experience in a private therapeutic practice, a hospital setting, educational consulting or other residential treatment environments, we have all expended energy and additional resources in dealing with a student, patient or client who is headed toward a bad outcome. Every therapeutic environment has a certain percentage of their clientele that struggles.



One of the main culprits is the student's inability to connect...connect with peers; connect with parents; connect with adults and authority figures. Most importantly, they struggle to authentically connect with themselves through a healthy therapeutic process. These students are often considered “Treatment Resistant”. The students enrolled at Connections find themselves being transitioned from their current treatment program or environment and needing a higher level of clinical care.

For this reason, the “Connections” program administered through Discovery Academy was created. Parents and professionals alike have suggested that Connections has been the best kept secret since 2010. 

With very little outreach, the Connections program has grown organically to include girls through word of mouth and quality care. Students are experiencing success through appropriate academic engagement, career exploration and a small nurturing community. These students are mastering the skills of self advocacy among peers, direct care staff and the local community.


 Connections at a glance:

·        Two separate and distinct milieus; Connections for Girls and Connections for Boys
·        Two separate program tracks; Neurotypical (ODD) and Neuro-Diverse (ASD, NLD, etc)
·        Personalized care in a small milieu setting with increased staff/student ratios

Once again, Connections is specifically set up to positively engage those students who are headed towards a bad outcome. Success is achieved through caring and compassionate direct care staff in a smaller more personalized mileu. This treatment model is rounded out with competent experienced therapists and a customized academic environment. 
When students are able to connect with others, they set themselves up for success. They experience success in their efforts surrounding school, work and family. They find themselves having healthy relationships and enjoying their interactions with others.

If you are interested in knowing more about Discovery Academy or Connections...be sure to check out the website here.


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