When a child needs academic, emotional, or other supports at a traditional public or private school, parents have several options. But when these steps don’t work, parents may begin to wonder if the school is the issue. If it is, the answer might be to change to a therapeutic school.
This article explains what therapeutic schools are and how they can help children with learning challenges. It also outlines the factors parents should consider before moving their child to a therapeutic school in New York City.
What Is a Therapeutic School?
A therapeutic school is an educational environment specifically designed to support children with learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral issues, or other concerns that interfere with their ability to learn.
Both therapeutic and traditional schools provide academic instruction in core subjects such as English language arts (ELA), math, science, and social studies. Also, both types of schools can help students graduate from high school and put them on the path to vocational school or college. Students in traditional or therapeutic schools can participate in academic electives, extracurricular activities, sports, and activities like field trips.
Yet, therapeutic schools differ from traditional schools in four ways. In general, therapeutic schools:
- Have teachers and counselors who are trained to work with students who have learning challenges
- Build time into the school day for students to receive mental health services
- Emphasize social-emotional learning, life skills, and other non-academic objectives in addition to core subjects
- Evaluate students not just on academic progress, but also on their ability to meet non-academic goals such as controlling emotional outbursts
How Do Therapeutic Schools Help Children with Learning Challenges?
Therapeutic schools can help children with learning disabilities in three major ways.
- The focus on social-emotional learning makes therapeutic schools particularly helpful for children dealing with emotional disabilities or social difficulties.
- Therapeutic schools have much smaller class sizes than traditional schools. This allows teachers to give each student individual instruction and attention.
- Being in a school with other children who also have learning challenges can reduce the stigma and anxiety that many children with learning disabilities experience.
Which Questions Should Parents Ask Before Considering a Therapeutic School?
While each family is different, parents who are considering a move to a therapeutic school should ask three questions:
- Have I asked for everything that my child is entitled to at their current school?
- Is my child’s plan being properly implemented?
- Are the issues at my child’s current school fixable?
The next three sections will dig into each of these questions.
Parent Question #1 – Is Your Child Receiving Every Service They Are Entitled to at Their Current School?
Most children with learning issues receive support under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Children who qualify under Section 504 get 504 Plans, while those who get support under the IDEA receive Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). If your child isn’t getting help under one of these laws, start there.
If your child already has a 504 Plan or an IEP, think about how long they’ve had it. If it’s a relatively new change, give the school and your child time to adjust.
If your child has had a 504 Plan or an IEP for some time with little progress, the problem may be the plan. These plans must be reviewed annually. But parents have the right to ask for a review at any time. If you are unhappy with your child’s progress after a long period of time, it may be a good idea to retool the 504 Plan or IEP to better align with your child’s needs.
Also, 504 Plans and IEPs serve different functions. Generally, 504 Plans don’t require changes to how teachers teach, while IEPs do. So, if your child isn’t excelling with a 504, it may be time to move to an IEP.
Parent Question #2 – Is My Child’s Educational Plan Being Properly Implemented?
A recent study found that nearly half of the parents of children with IEPs were unhappy with the services provided. So, if revising or changing your child’s existing educational plan doesn’t seem to help, it may be time to consider whether the school is properly implementing the plan.
While implementation issues can be difficult to spot, there are some common signs. There may be an issue if:
- Services are in the plan but not listed on your child’s schedule
- Scheduled services are frequently missed or rescheduled
- Your child’s teacher or other relevant staff members don’t seem to know the basics of your child’s plan
- There always seem to be staffing issues around your child’s needs
A one-time failure is generally not cause for concern. But if these issues are consistent, the school may need to change its approach.
Parent Question #3 – Are The Issues at My Child’s Current School Fixable?
Before making a change, consider whether the issues at the current school can be corrected. For example, if staffing issues are affecting your child’s services, but a new employee is scheduled to begin, things could get back on track soon.
However, if there isn’t a clear path to address your child’s issues – and soon – it may be time to consider a move to another traditional school or a therapeutic school.
Frequently Asked Questions for Parents Who Are Considering Therapeutic Schools
- Do parents have to try every accommodation before considering a therapeutic school?
No. This would be nearly impossible. The key focus should be whether the school can meet your child’s needs.
- Should parents wait for the current school to recommend a therapeutic school?
No. There is no legal or practical reason for parents to wait for a recommendation from the current school.
- What records should parents gather to show that school supports are not working?
Generally, you’ll want to collect anything that proves that the current plan is not working. This could include progress reports, report cards, IEP or 504 Plan, attendance and disciplinary records, homework, tests, or standardized test scores.
- Should parents get an updated evaluation before applying to a therapeutic school?
Not necessarily. But new evaluations and assessments might be helpful if the earlier information is dated or your child’s needs have changed significantly.
Parents Should Consider Academics West
If your family is considering a therapeutic school, please consider Academics West. Our school combines solid academic instruction with a strong emphasis on emotional, behavioral, social, and executive-functioning needs.
To learn more about our school, book a call with an admissions coordinator or schedule an in-person visit to our Upper West Side campus.