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The John Dewey Academy Student Profile |
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Student Profile |
Students who attend The John Dewey Academy have similar psycho-social characteristics, although these characteristics may manifest themselves in strikingly different ways. Our students have failed to respond to more traditional psycho-therapeutic and educational approaches. We have no typical demographic profile. We offer a unique educational and therapeutic opportunity, and thus attract families from a wide variety of religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. Despite this heterogeneity, our students relate to each other in very profound and basic ways. These adolescents are out of control, lonely, lost, and self-hating. They rely on immediate gratification to blot out their despair. No matter what symptoms they display, every JDA student arrives with dishonesty towards self and others as a core underlying issue. All have negative attitudes. Most have been misdiagnosed as having a biochemically based depressive disorder because they are depressed. This depression results from the hopelessness of their situation, not from any biochemical imperative; thus, it is much more responsive to emotional growth and improved functioning than it is to medication. In addition, students often arrive at JDA with a misdiagnosis of ADHD. Inappropriate diagnosis of disruptive behavior and academic underachievement is widespread in our society; boys are particularly often the victims of this sort of error. Almost invariably, our students demonstrate significant improvement academically despite the removal of the medications used to treat this disorder. Many students have a history of drug and/or alcohol abuse when they come to JDA. They may have resorted to theft in order to finance such habits. Most are academic underachievers or even failures. They may have been hospitalized and/or incarcerated. Some have made suicide gestures or attempts. Eating disordered behavior is also common. Some have a history of significant trauma, but many do not. By creating constant crises via dangerous and self-destructive acts, they have demonstrated a need for a structured, safe, and supportive residential environment. We combine such an environment with unrelenting and uncompromisingly escalating expectations for improved, responsible, and productive behavior. The John Dewey Academy is not appropriate for all adolescents. Those who are organically damaged, have true metabolic disorders, possess less than average intelligence, and/or are psychotic, are not considered viable candidates. Since the clinical picture is often ambiguous or controversial, we recommend that you contact us to discuss whether or not your child may benefit from attending JDA. |