Fornits

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An open discussion about the troubled parent industry

I've been away since Christmas so there are a lot of new posts.  I am struck by a couple of things:  how vehement some of the responses are, and how the most strongly worded responses are from Anonymous posters.  
Some of these people keep missing an important point:  that if this boy's parents had not abandoned him, he may never have been at Star Ranch.  Their parental rights were stripped from them because of abuse and neglect.  He was placed in foster care and could not stay becaue of his numerous emotional problems.
So the idea that everyone should shun treatment centers doesn't really address what should happen to children who have this type of special need.
I am furious that this boy was treated this way, but I also have experience with children with behavioural issues that act out and try to harm themselves.  I also saw staffers at Star Ranch de-escalate that type of behaviour through  talking, not requiring any type of restraint.
But my experience with Star Ranch was with the summer camp (1 week), not the RTC.
I've never been in a residential treatment center myself; it sounds like some of you have.  That must have been hard.
But for some kids, it looks like it may be the only place left.  
I am really tired of hearing "This place kills kids".  ONE child died.  I haven't seen or heard anything that indicates there is a child murderer on the rampage in Ingram.

People are so willing to jump to conclusions to promote their own personal points of view.  The Citizens Commission on Human Rights, a Scientology group, is not just anti-psychiatry.  Like MadMom, it is against the use of psychotropic drugs in children.
So in a case like this, where a child has died, eventually the blame can be at least placed on the drugs and the course of treatment. The actual cause of death was directly related, however, to the basket hold.  His behaviour, while possibly stemming in part from his drug regimen, was also due to his history: abuse and neglect.  Abused and neglected children often act out.  
I don't know, though, what else this faction would offer besides a treatment center like Star Ranch and besides the proven drug treatments.  CPS didn't want this kid anymore.  I'm not seeing much heat on that decision.
I do know that many children have received great benefit from some of these drugs, specifically related to depression.  I would expect that a professional would be more likely to be able to capably analyze Mike's drug profile and determine whether it was acceptable.  I know I don't have the training for that.
My point is the same as before: let's see the actual facts after the conclusion of the investigation before we blame the entire system.

That was my post, above, in response to another "Anonymous".  Sorry.

My son attended Star Ranch last summer.  He had a really positive experience, following a year of extreme emotional outbursts and police intervention at school (he's 12 now).  He has Asperger's Syndrome.
The staff at Star Ranch never physically restrained him, and took great care to help him learn to deal with his emotions.  We were looking forward to sending him back for two weeks next year, BUT....so many factors; like, how do you really know, in a camp designed for children with behavioural difficulties, what the staff is trained to do (beyond what they tell and show you)? What SHOULD they have done with an aggressive boy who was harming himself? What about all the kids who have been helped at that camp? Not to mention the 10 years they've served kids in the residential center and school.
I don't know about anyone else, but not that many camps offer help to kids that aren't "the norm".   My son had about -0- options for camp; but he went to Star Ranch, learned self-control and responsibility and independence, and was never punished.  He had some restrictions on his time when he wouldn't cooperate.  
He got to fish, swim, care for animals and learned new skills every day.
He came back a different, more mature and happier boy. So, now what?  
Now we look for a new camp, I guess. It is really a tragedy for so many people, beginning with poor Christening.
Thanks for hearing my side.