Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > The Troubled Teen Industry
Apologia - Serious debate only, please!
spots:
This topic, started by Ginger as an effort to really discuss something, is very active. It would appear to have, maybe, 6 or 8 regular posters, with an interesting mix of "regular-but-not-on-this-topic" people...meaning several other forum folks read here regularly. Hmmm...we have a larger audience than we think.
I am impressed with the caliber of opinions, grammar, etc., but if you look closely, you will probably find that we are faced with just 2 WWASPS supporters. One woman has a nephew who emerged from Cross Creek a while ago a significantly-changed individual. OK. She also seems to be the same person who refers to the 100's of satisfied customers (or 1000's, depending on how ludicrous she feels) she personally knows. Nevermind that she never refers to these 100's [or 1000's] of folks by name, personal knowledge, anecdotal experiences, etc., except to point to The Source magazine for her, uhmmm, source. One wonders why such a distant relative spends hours reading this forum and adamantly attacking every post with rebuttal, especially since her rebuttals center mostly on "they don't do what you [and literally 100's of other kids] say".
Our second Anon who seems hell-bent of rebutting each post is identifiable by her syntax, which mostly is LARGE-SIZE FONT, a horrible breach of Internet etiquette that she has recently discovered how to do. Is this the same Anon who bitterly demands, "Please do not avoid the question" or "Please answer the question". Saying please isn't going to gloss over the nasty demands from some etheral harpy out there, and does she really expect we intelligent and informed posters to "fess up" and bow to her demands to answer her hostile questions? Like...does she really have and "questions" that are not attacks. Lady, didn't you take seriously your Debate class when you were in Harvard? Your style is right up there on the list of ineffective arguing. Oh, well, maybe you have to have at least 3 check-offs from the List of Stupid Debating Techniques to really fit into the category of Stupid Debater.
FWIW, I just fell into the category of Stupid Debater by responding to these Anons. Oh well, too much coffee this morning. I must go out to the barn to scoop poop, as that has some real purpose as opposed to shoveling around crap on this board.
Anonymous:
I have read the responses and see that perhaps some agree that all things need to be looked at to make a change in the system. It isn't about right vs. wrong it is about all things have room for improvement and all voices "experiences" warrant truth.
Yes WWASP has the 60 day guarantee for those who graduate. What Guarantee do they warrant for those that have learned all they can vs. graduation? Do all those kids fail? No Is change a choice? Yes it is however to build self-esteem doesn't start with the tearing of one down. Was that learned from a manipulation letter? No it was learned from a one on one session I sat in on. Did the therapist get changed? Yes after I addressed my concerns with the director. At the time of this change the family rep confided in my family that she knew it was not a working relationship however she kept this quiet. So what happened to the complaint form my daughter filled out about it? She received consequences for manipulating vs. working. Was she manipulating? No I watched it and yes it was after I had been involved for 10 months and completed all required seminars.
My point is there is room for improvement and the only way to get the issues resolved is to listen to others experience. Ones experience can not be changed because of others dis-belief in the facts or their need to continue to wear the blinders to see no wrong. As I said before there is good and bad in every thing.
I understand the difference between her program and mine. However that does not change the experience.
You do not want to believe about the confession letter? Fine, I respect that however it was my experience and that had nothing to do with manipulation on the part of my daughter.
Yes things have changed as far as my expectations and the need to control and the game itself. I know I can only control my choices and she has to live with hers. I didn't expect a robot or miracles however I didn't expect all I received.
Anonymous:
--- Quote ---On 2004-01-08 09:18:00, Anonymous wrote:
"Anon - I couldn't agree with you more. That's why I read everything that is written and respond from my own experience. I have said lately that an investigation would be a good thing, so bring it on. It may finally put to rest any questions the public may have. There will always be disgruntled parents in this industry. And what needs to be changed should be changed. There have been many changes and it continues to change for the better. WWASPS never professed to be "perfect." What their program provides works in most families, but there's always room for improvement. I just read in The Source that they are changing the initial seminars for the new kids and have changed the Visions seminar to something that looks to be more effective in helping the dynamics of the whole family. The whole program is based on change and every entity looks to be open to this. "
--- End quote ---
Thanks, Anon. I don't know much about these seminars you speak of, except from what I have read in general about LGAT seminars. However, they do appear to be a "flash point" based on the controversial experience of persons (adults and children) who have experienced them first hand. More definitive discussion/debate on this component of these programs would be highly productive. Another area of interest is the use of inhouse referrals to boost enrollment. While at first blush it does not seem inappropriate to reward parents who refer other parents with a free month's tuition (or other forms of compensation), it seems to me this practice has spawned a lucrative cottage industry that is in dire need of oversight to guard against the exploitation of families and children. I am curious as to whether this is a widespread problem within the industry, at large? In other words, of the hundreds of programs for teens with behavioral problems, how many of them are paying parents (one way or another) to recruit other families?
Anonymous:
Spots
My posts on my experience was intended for the serious debate on the issue of Teen Programs. It was not my intention to annoy you or dis what was started on this board. :smile:
m
Anonymous:
Anon - the seminars are something you would need to experience first hand. I'm not really sure a discussion would be anything but that, a discussion. The seminars are open to the public.
As for the referrals. Parents that ran into nothingness, brick walls, restrictions, etc., can share with other parents their experience of the wwasps schools/programs. They are not the ones that do the admissions or even determine if the child is a candidate for admission. They have admissions staff for that. They simply share parent to parent and the parent can decide for themselves. I honestly don't know of a parent that said you have to do this, or twisted their arm. With the tuition costs, private pay, it's awesome that this program will extend a free month based on their putting themselves out there. I don't think they pay educational consultants and a lot of that has caused ed cons to not recommend them. Some even go so far as to say how bad they are if they are asked by a parent considering them.
Bottom line is the wwasps affilated parents are sharing an option, no more, no less. And, getting a much needed break on tution costs. Win/Win.
I can't speak about other programs doing this, they seem to have educational consultants to do that for them.
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