Brat camps.Brat camp is a term related to wilderness programs or boot camps. A camp for a "bratty" teenager. Typically, brat camps offer little or no follow up care, are not accredited schools and are not for violent or seriously troubled teens. Sometimes called an intervention camp, brat camps are used to "shock" teens into realizing their parents are needed and deserve respect. Military schools.Military schools are very structured boarding schools that operate on a regular school year with a summer vacation. Military schools are not appropriate for students with emotional or behavioral problems because in-house treatment services are not provided as a general rule. They are not equipped to sufficiently provide for serious behavioral issues and do not have a solid parent support system. Boot camps.Teen boot camps typically have a military type structure. Boot camps are short-term (usually 30 days) and are not meant for teens with emotional or behavioral programs. Boot camps do not provide treatment services and do not offer follow up services or parent support. Therapeutic boarding schools. Boarding schools, or residential treatment centers, have students reside on campus and provide academics and a therapy component. Teens typically attend the school for 6-18 months. Most of these schools have a therapist on staff and don't usually contract outside the school to provide individual and group therapy. These programs are for teens with severe problems (emotional, behavioral, drug/alcohol abuse) who require long term treatment. Rehab centers.Rehab centers provide treatment for teens with a chemical or drug dependency. There are many approaches to rehab treatment centers such as support groups and court-mandated random drug tests. There are a wide and diverse set of options including short term, long term, residential and day programs. These centers do not usually provide a strong support system for parents or accredited academics. When you realize your teen is in trouble, the hundreds of options can be daunting, even frightening. When you don't know where to turn, help is here. Our caring and trained staff is here to listen, help and share personal experiences. We are available 24 hours a day to help you find an appropriate program to meet your family's needs.
The Programs of The Pinnacle Schools provide diagnostic, assessment, education and intervention services for troubled teens, ages 12-18, and their families. Our programs are based on a medical model with physician-directed medication managementTPS staff physicians and professional referral sources work together to help manage your child's medications. TPS will not change your child's medications or dosages without parents' and professional referral sources approval. and 24 hour medical/nursing care.
Education is Essential
We believe "no child left behind" also applies to teen residential treatment programs. The Pinnacle Schools pioneered the use of Accredited Academics in the short-term residential setting, and because of our flexible length of stay students can complete a quarter, semester or full academic year. Continued medical and psychological therapies, along with education, insure long term success. Our Academic Administrator works closely with parents, students and counselors to design an individualized program of study that best supports each student's specific goals. Our curriculum is SACS & CITA accredited and offers courses for students in grades 6-12. Our academics are designed to support students therapeutically by providing a safe learning environment in which their self-esteem is positively impacted by success in school.
Financing Options
The Pinnacle Schools understands the financial responsibility of a residential treatment program can be overwhelming. As a company, advocating for troubled teens and their families is of utmost importance. We have several options for funding including some insurance reimbursement, relationships with two behavioral health loan companies and multiple scholarships. Call an Admissions Counselor today (866) 906-8336.
Typical Student Profile
Our programs are designed for struggling teens that are experiencing one or more of the following difficulties:
- ADD/ADHD There has been great controversy over the existence of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder but if your teen has it, you will feel its effects. These kids may present with difficulty sustaining attention in class and may have problems with short term memory function. Other kids will be in constant motion, unable to sit for any length of time. They will talk out in class and exhibit impulsiveness. Most kids with AD/HD diagnosis will demonstrate both inattentiveness and hyperactive-impulsive behaviors. AD/HD has been shown to be a risk factor for the development of poor academic functioning, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, substance use and a myriad of other behavioral problems.
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is characterized by a pattern of negativistic, hostile and defiant behavior lasting at least 6 months. ODD is an externalizing behavior problem, i.e., it affects parents and others by making them uncomfortable. Most often, the teen with ODD feels that these externalizing behaviors are normal and acceptable; everyone else is out of line. Essentially, an ODD adolescent will present with non-compliance to adult requests, disrespect of adults and peers, anger management problems, and a failure to accept responsibility for these behaviors.
- Bipolar Disorder One of the most misunderstood syndromes in child mental health is Bipolar Disorders. Traditionally, Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depressive Illness is considered a mood disorder with alternating episodes of extreme euphoria/mania and dysphoria/depression. These moods cycle unpredictably and often abruptly with no obvious, observable cause being discernable to the patient's life. Bipolar Disorder is poorly defined in children and adolescents. Often patients who are severe examples of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder are misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder. The Elk River Residential Treatment Program will accept students with this diagnosis if the extreme behaviors are controlled via medication prior to entry.
- DepressionAn illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts, that affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. The signs and symptoms of depression include loss of interest in activities; loss of appetite with weight loss or overeating with weight gain; loss of emotional expression; a persistently sad or anxious mood; feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, social withdrawal; low energy level; trouble concentrating, remembering or making decisions; unusual restlessness or irritability. Alcohol and/or drug abuse may also be signs of depression.
- Dual DiagnosisA diagnosis of an emotional disorder and a developmental delay, drug and alcohol use or a mental illness in the same person.
- Adoption/Divorce/Family Issues
- Drug/Alcohol Use and Abuse
- Online Gaming Addiction Online gaming addiction is an addiction to online video games, role-playing games or any interactive gaming environment. This addiction has increased dramatically in the US. Gaming stimulates the brain's "reward centers" which stimulates the same high a drug addict or alcoholic feels. Signs and symptoms include: Restless and irritable when doing other activities, eating meals at the computer while gaming, inability to keep track of time spent gaming, increasingly defensive about game playing habits, declining school performance, skipping class to continue game play, defiant, isolation from family and friends.
- ObesityThe state of being well above one's normal weight. A person has traditionally been considered to be obese if they are more than 20 percent over their ideal weight. That ideal weight must take into account the person's height, age, sex and build. Visit http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/ to learn your teen's Body Mass Index.
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- Asperger's Syndrome/ Diagnosis or TraitAsperger's Syndrome is a mild form of autism. Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome may be very bright and capable, but may also have serious difficulties with social interaction, or have unusually low tolerance for loud noise, bright lights, crowds, etc. Because it is relatively mild, Asperger's Syndrome is often diagnosed in older children and adults. It is sometimes called the "Little Professor Syndrome" or "Geek Syndrome."
- Anger
- Poor Peer Relationships
- DefianceIndividuals with a disposition to resist and/or a willingness to contend or fight.
- TruancyFailure to attend school regularly without parents approval./Poor School Performance
- Learning Differences"Learning Differences" refer to a number of disorders which may affect the acquisition, organization, retention, understanding or use of verbal or non-verbal information. These disorders affect learning in individuals who otherwise demonstrate at least average abilities essential for thinking and/or reasoning. Examples are: ADD, ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome
- Impulsivity
- Low Self Esteem
- Reactive Attachment Disorder Reactive attachment disorder is a rare but serious mental health condition in which infants and young children don't establish healthy bonds to parents or caregivers. Basic needs for comfort, affection, nurturing and stimulation that weren't met result in children who never learned how to create loving and caring attachments with other people. They are unable to give or receive affection.
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