My son at Aspen Ranch

[TheWho]

k.. just so I have the logistics straight... your daughter was in SUWS. Two other girls in SUWS got turned down by aspen. (Im assuming this is following the regular rigmarole of sending a kid to wilderness and then they put in placement.) They were referred to one of the aspen schools. (which one?) Got turned down. (was there any skuttlebutt about the reasons?) and ended up in maine (elan, maybe?) and the other in the south, mayble HLA.

And as for being wrong. I never said it never happened. I was pissing and moaning about how tired I am of hearing about this with such little evidence.

So, thanks for giving me something more than the party line. Im curious to know what this facility's reasons were, if you know. also, which facility was this?

Sorry to be so bitchy, castle.  Its frustrating to listen to what people perceive to be the truth here sometimes……..  I think it was Elan, your right.  There were six in her group at SUWS.  2 went home and there were 4 scheduled to go to ASR together.  One was denied because they had a history of using knives the other one the parents never spoke about to any of us, just told us he couldn’t get in and was heading South.  I recall HLA being mentioned but at the time it didn’t mean anything to me… never heard of the place.  My daughter and her friend she met there were supposed to start ASR the same day but they asked that my daughter be evaluated first.  So we took her to McLean’s in Boston (Belmont) where she stayed overnight for 3 days and then we were told she would be accepted.

[Anonymous]

I'm sick of seeing people manipulated by this anonymous little twat.  You're talking to THE WHO.  What the fuck are you doing even bothering.  He's lied about so much else on this thread and represents practically every single guest post -- talking to himself even.  There's no point in talking to somebody like him.  He's a liar and a paid program shill.  You want to test whether a program will refuse a kid?  Try calling some up with fake kids and ridiculous problems.  Think about the kids who you were in program with... for being gay or what have you.  Minor quirks.  Interests the parents didn't like.  One times screw ups we've all been through.  Overreaction to that is a PARENTAL PROBLEM, *NOT* teen problems.  Some could have used help but didn't' get it.  The rest were just normal kids who ended up Munchhausen by proxy being drilled until they believed they had problems they didn't.  The programs don't care as long as they make money.  Whooter claims that doesn't apply to aspen programs, same as every program director in the past has lied about.  Why would you believe him.  Test it out.

[TheWho]

 You want to test whether a program will refuse a kid?  Try calling some up with fake kids and ridiculous problems.

Actually that is a good idea.  Call them up and say you have a certified check made out to AEG for $100,000 to prepay for the year.  Then tell them you found you kid smoking pot or you think he is gay and ask if he can start this Friday.

The answer you get would cool your heels....... and change your tune.

Try it out!!

[blombrowski]

Sorry to be so bitchy, castle. Its frustrating to listen to what people perceive to be the truth here sometimes…….. I think it was Elan, your right. There were six in her group at SUWS. 2 went home and there were 4 scheduled to go to ASR together. One was denied because they had a history of using knives the other one the parents never spoke about to any of us, just told us he couldn’t get in and was heading South. I recall HLA being mentioned but at the time it didn’t mean anything to me… never heard of the place. My daughter and her friend she met there were supposed to start ASR the same day but they asked that my daughter be evaluated first. So we took her to McLean’s in Boston (Belmont) where she stayed overnight for 3 days and then we were told she would be accepted.

Thanks for answering castle's question, but you didn't quite answer mine.  Where's the example of a program saying to a parent, "based on what you're explaining to us, your kid doesn't need residential care at all, here are some resources so that you can manage your child at home".  Basically, what you're explaining is that there isn't enough documentation for a youth to enter a program so the program asks the parent to get one.  Better than not asking for anything at all, but where's the attempt to divert from residential care entirely?

[Ursus]

I think it was Elan, your right.

Not terribly likely. Whooter has never (to my knowledge) messed in the Elan forum, and has never tried to rationalize that Elan was a reasonable choice for sending a kid to. It's not in his memory base of programs to bring up on the threads (which is closely related to the circle of fellow EdCons to please).

Whooter has, however, messed in the Hyde forum, and has tried to rationalize in threads (outside the Hyde forum) that Hyde School is the type of place he might consider a "good program," for example:

aineoni on Tue Sep 16, 2008
...You've been asked before to name just ONE so called "good program". You can't, so I really don't expect a definitive answer to this either, but I thought I might give it a shot.

TheWho on Tue Sep 16, 2008
I don't have any off hand.. maybe a hyde type place.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=16007&p=315295#p315295[/list]

He posted this after I had brought up on several occasions (in discussion with him on the threads) the concern about increased suicide rates in the years immediately following such a program experience, my own knowledge thereof coming, of course, directly from Hyde.

As it would happen, a couple of months after Whooter posted the above, two recent students at Hyde did commit suicide in what appear to be unrelated incidents (Frank McGill and Carol Anne Brown). Apparently, these incidents haven't dampened his enthusiasm.

[TheWho]

I think it was Elan, your right.

Not terribly likely. Whooter has never (to my knowledge) messed in the Elan forum, and has never tried to rationalize that Elan was a reasonable choice for sending a kid to. It's not in his memory base of programs to bring up on the threads.

Whooter has, however, messed in the Hyde forum, and has tried to rationalize in threads (outside the Hyde forum) that Hyde School is the type of place he might consider a "good program," for example:

aineoni on Tue Sep 16, 2008
...You've been asked before to name just ONE so called "good program". You can't, so I really don't expect a definitive answer to this either, but I thought I might give it a shot.

TheWho on Tue Sep 16, 2008
I don't have any off hand.. maybe a hyde type place.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=16007&p=315295#p315295[/list]

He posted this after I had brought up on several occasions (in discussion with him on the threads) the concern about increased suicide rates in the years immediately following such a program experience, my own knowledge thereof coming, of course, from Hyde.

As it would happen, a couple of months after Whooter posted the above, two recent students at Hyde did commit suicide in what appear to be unrelated incidents (Frank McGill and Carol Anne Brown). This doesn't appear to have dampened his enthusiasm.

I am not sure what the point is, Ursus.  Why would it matter if one of the kids from SUWS went to elan or Hyde?  If they are both in Maine then it could have been either one.  My daughter never resumed contact after that so there was no reason for me to remember, it was never brought up.

[TheWho]

Sorry to be so bitchy, castle. Its frustrating to listen to what people perceive to be the truth here sometimes…….. I think it was Elan, your right. There were six in her group at SUWS. 2 went home and there were 4 scheduled to go to ASR together. One was denied because they had a history of using knives the other one the parents never spoke about to any of us, just told us he couldn’t get in and was heading South. I recall HLA being mentioned but at the time it didn’t mean anything to me… never heard of the place. My daughter and her friend she met there were supposed to start ASR the same day but they asked that my daughter be evaluated first. So we took her to McLean’s in Boston (Belmont) where she stayed overnight for 3 days and then we were told she would be accepted.

Thanks for answering castle's question, but you didn't quite answer mine.  Where's the example of a program saying to a parent, "based on what you're explaining to us, your kid doesn't need residential care at all, here are some resources so that you can manage your child at home".  Basically, what you're explaining is that there isn't enough documentation for a youth to enter a program so the program asks the parent to get one.  Better than not asking for anything at all, but where's the attempt to divert from residential care entirely?

Programs really don’t do "Managing your kid at home".  Its not their strength.  They are good at residential treatment.  If your kid is not a good fit for their program they would recommend you see a local therapist/ counselor. Maybe see a specialist depending on what the issue was.  They would expect you to be able to get advice at that level vs. from them.

See each program has its own entrance criteria which insures there is a high probability that the child will succeed within the program.  If the child isn’t a good fit they may recommend another program or tell you your child just inst suitable for residential treatment and recommend local services.

I hope this is clearer, sorry if I was vague previously.

[TheWho]

Elan will take anyone.....with cash.

See thats not right.  The places should at least require an evaluation from an independent source before taking a child.  How does Elan determine at the onset whether the child has a good chance of succeeding or not unless the child is tested?

These are some of the areas where laws need to be applied IMO.

[TheWho]

@ Ursus :  I remember the girl telling us that the place was more like a lock down and had fences to keep them in and much harsher that ASR and that it was in Maine.  If that fits both Elan and Hyde than it could be either one.

[try another castle]

Elan will take anyone.....with cash.

See thats not right.  The places should at least require an evaluation from an independent source before taking a child.  How does Elan determine at the onset whether the child has a good chance of succeeding or not unless the child is tested?

These are some of the areas where laws need to be applied IMO.

This whole testing admissions thing is kind of ridiculous, anyway. I mean, what are they supposed to be screening for? Kids who will benefit from their practices?


It's no wonder they don't screen. they wouldn't have any students.

[Ursus]

Elan will take anyone.....with cash.

See thats not right.  The places should at least require an evaluation from an independent source before taking a child.  How does Elan determine at the onset whether the child has a good chance of succeeding or not unless the child is tested?

These are some of the areas where laws need to be applied IMO.

This whole testing admissions thing is kind of ridiculous, anyway. I mean, what are they supposed to be screening for? Kids who will benefit from their practices?

It's no wonder they don't screen. they wouldn't have any students.

Oh, sometimes they do screen alright. Depends a lot on who does the screening. As y'all must know by now, there is a sizable enough contingent within the psychological community that is very pro-program. Some of those folk are even on Advisory Boards for programs and/or EdCon organizations. Conflict of interest, anyone?

Take a look at this "independent source" involved in "evaluating" Whooter's "daughter":

So we took her to McLean's in Boston (Belmont) where she stayed overnight for 3 days and then we were told she would be accepted.

McLean Hospital (originally known as the "McLean Asylum for the Insane") is, as Whooter well knows, a feeder institution for Academy at Swift River. ASR Executive Director Frank Bartolomeo, in fact, came to ASR more or less directly from McLean himself. Children's Group Therapy Association, where he was co-chair for awhile, is also closely linked to McLean. CGTA appears to function more or less as a private group practice using personnel from McLean.

Closely linked to McLean are some personnel from Children's Hospital in Boston, just a stone's throw or two across the Charles River, specifically -- in this case -- Dr. Sharon Levy. Here is her brief bio from STICC (Saving Teens in Crisis Collaborative), an organization closely linked to Aspen Ed (ASR's parent company):

Sharon Levy, MD, MPH

• Director of Pediatrics for the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program at Children's Hospital in Boston
  [li]Associate Researcher, Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research

[/li][/list]

For those even the remotely bit curious, I'd highly recommend a visit to the STICC site to check out their "Our People" page. Be sure to scroll all the way down. HLA's favorite EdCons, anyone? Woodbury Reports, anyone?

Of course, the piece de la resistance is the intimate connection Whooter himself has to STICC. Savvy readers would do well to connect all the dots.

[TheWho]

Elan will take anyone.....with cash.

See thats not right.  The places should at least require an evaluation from an independent source before taking a child.  How does Elan determine at the onset whether the child has a good chance of succeeding or not unless the child is tested?

These are some of the areas where laws need to be applied IMO.

This whole testing admissions thing is kind of ridiculous, anyway. I mean, what are they supposed to be screening for? Kids who will benefit from their practices?

It's no wonder they don't screen. they wouldn't have any students.

Oh, sometimes they do screen alright. Depends a lot on who does the screening. As y'all must know by now, there is a sizable enough contingent within the psychological community that is very pro-program. Some of those folk are even on Advisory Boards for programs and/or EdCon organizations. Conflict of interest, anyone?

Take a look at this "independent source" involved in "evaluating" Whooter's "daughter":

So we took her to McLean's in Boston (Belmont) where she stayed overnight for 3 days and then we were told she would be accepted.

McLean Hospital (originally known as the "McLean Asylum for the Insane") is, as Whooter well knows, a feeder institution for Academy at Swift River. ASR Executive Director Frank Bartolomeo, in fact, came to ASR more or less directly from McLean himself. Children's Group Therapy Association, where he was co-chair for awhile, is also closely linked to McLean. CGTA appears to function more or less as a private group practice using personnel from McLean.

Closely linked to McLean are some personnel from Children's Hospital in Boston, just a stone's throw or two across the Charles River, specifically -- in this case -- Dr. Sharon Levy. Here is her brief bio from STICC (Saving Teens in Crisis Collaborative), an organization closely linked to Aspen Ed (ASR's parent company):

Sharon Levy, MD, MPH

• Director of Pediatrics for the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program at Children's Hospital in Boston
  [li]Associate Researcher, Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research

[/li][/list]

For those even the remotely bit curious, I'd highly recommend a visit to the STICC site to check out their "Our People" page. Be sure to scroll all the way down. HLA's favorite EdCons, anyone? Woodbury Reports, anyone?

Of course, the piece de la resistance is the intimate connection Whooter himself has to STICC. Savvy readers would do well to connect all the dots.

I had been mentioning this in the past (which everyone wanted to dismiss).  There are very prominent people from the psycological community who are speaking out in favor of the advancement of Therapeutic schools and the successes they have had.  I know of a few personally, locally, and from the University of Michigan.  As You pointed out they are getting the support of pediatricians from places like Childrens Hospital also.

[TheWho]

This whole testing admissions thing is kind of ridiculous, anyway. I mean, what are they supposed to be screening for? Kids who will benefit from their practices?

There was a discussion awhile back about kids being placed into programs so that parents could get a break and go on vacation or because the kid was smoking pot or talking back...... if there were a screening process which was mandatory like a 3rd , independent, party were required to sign off on the placement like a therapist or school counselor then this would help to prevent placements for the wrong reasons and make room for the kids who would more benefit from the program.

[Troll Control]

Elan will take anyone.....with cash.

See thats not right.  The places should at least require an evaluation from an independent source before taking a child.  How does Elan determine at the onset whether the child has a good chance of succeeding or not unless the child is tested?

These are some of the areas where laws need to be applied IMO.

This whole testing admissions thing is kind of ridiculous, anyway. I mean, what are they supposed to be screening for? Kids who will benefit from their practices?

It's no wonder they don't screen. they wouldn't have any students.

Oh, sometimes they do screen alright. Depends a lot on who does the screening. As y'all must know by now, there is a sizable enough contingent within the psychological community that is very pro-program. Some of those folk are even on Advisory Boards for programs and/or EdCon organizations. Conflict of interest, anyone?

Take a look at this "independent source" involved in "evaluating" Whooter's "daughter":

So we took her to McLean's in Boston (Belmont) where she stayed overnight for 3 days and then we were told she would be accepted.

McLean Hospital (originally known as the "McLean Asylum for the Insane") is, as Whooter well knows, a feeder institution for Academy at Swift River. ASR Executive Director Frank Bartolomeo, in fact, came to ASR more or less directly from McLean himself. Children's Group Therapy Association, where he was co-chair for awhile, is also closely linked to McLean. CGTA appears to function more or less as a private group practice using personnel from McLean.

Closely linked to McLean are some personnel from Children's Hospital in Boston, just a stone's throw or two across the Charles River, specifically -- in this case -- Dr. Sharon Levy. Here is her brief bio from STICC (Saving Teens in Crisis Collaborative), an organization closely linked to Aspen Ed (ASR's parent company):

Sharon Levy, MD, MPH

• Director of Pediatrics for the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program at Children's Hospital in Boston
  [li]Associate Researcher, Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research

[/li][/list]

For those even the remotely bit curious, I'd highly recommend a visit to the STICC site to check out their "Our People" page. Be sure to scroll all the way down. HLA's favorite EdCons, anyone? Woodbury Reports, anyone?

Of course, the piece de la resistance is the intimate connection Whooter himself has to STICC. Savvy readers would do well to connect all the dots.

Thanks for bringing this up, Ursus.  I have pointed out this nexus before as well.  TheWho is a complete shill-piece with a fabricated 'success' story used to lure in some more dum-dum parents.

[TheWho]

This whole testing admissions thing is kind of ridiculous, anyway. I mean, what are they supposed to be screening for? Kids who will benefit from their practices?

There was a discussion awhile back about kids being placed into programs so that parents could get a break and go on vacation or because the kid was smoking pot or talking back...... if there were a screening process which was mandatory like a 3rd , independent, party were required to sign off on the placement like a therapist or school counselor then this would help to prevent placements for the wrong reasons and make room for the kids who would more benefit from the program.

shouldnt that read: " better benefit from the program"?