|
Internet Search – Many parents will use Search
Engines to type in key words and search terms to describe their child.
Unfortunately, in many cases, the parent will see the same group of
programs/schools with different titles and descriptions, however leading back to
the same organization. Parents that are not familiar with this industry can
easily be misinformed. An example is a key word such as Military Schools.
Are you aware that reputable Military Schools are not for at risk children?
Please
click
here to review.
The term Spamdexing has been used when organizations will purchase many
websites and URL’s all leading back to the same group. The vast number of key
words and search terms, no matter what the issues, may all be filtered back to
the same group. This can be very deceiving and detrimental when searching for
the best placement for your child.
This can be a farce and totally an attack on desperate parents seeking help.
Some of the websites are owned by "parents" that actually gain free tuition by
you enrolling from their website. Even though "full disclosure" is required, it
is sometimes missing. In reading a site recently parent’s claimed a program had
saved their twins lives. However the story read that the children are still in
the program. If the children are still in the program, how do you know if it
saved a life yet? They don't, but they do gain a free tuition from if you enroll
from their website ID number. With twins in a program, this must be costly.
Sponsored listings are sold to the highest bidders. It seems only businesses
with large marketing budgets can afford to be seen in top spots. This causes
many very good and qualified programs and schools never to be seen. Many,
including Computer Consultants, frown upon this tactic and Internet
Professionals that feel it is causing unfair solicitation. Unfortunately this
is part of marketing and public relations, which can leave out the small people.
Are you looking at websites
that offer a Clearing House of Schools and Programs? Or offer to sell you
a book? Do you think you are getting a qualified school and/or program
since it is listed in the book? Did you know most times it is paid
advertising?
So whom do you trust? It is very scary in this industry of
children needing intervention. That is one of our main goals; to recognize who
is qualified and who is not. We are not a clearing-house for programs; we do
not have a large number of schools and programs that we have researched yet. We
try to give parents a peace of mind with the programs we have researched and
personally visited. No matter how much trouble your child may be causing, they
are human and deserve to be in a safe and qualified environment. These programs
that urge you to act now are not taking the time to fully evaluate what
is needed for your child. They seem to assume that every child will fit their
program. Please parents, step back from this and think, research and
investigate.
Does the Advertising look
too good to be true?
Most literature and brochures are made up to be glossy and fancy to advertise as
an answer to your troubled child. Some even send tearful videos of parents that
claim to have been rescued from their child. When a program needs to use these
extreme measures to market and advertise, it is time to investigate and analyze
where all the money is being spent. Remember to read the small print and
recognize that many of the pictures were not taken at the facilities. Marketing
people can also be good sales people. Reaching out to your emotions at a
delicate time of your life with your child. For more Helpful Hints in
researching please read
this article. .
Do you need to hire an
Educational Consultant? What about an Independent Educational Consultant? Why
are they so much money?
This seems to be a very political group
of questions. First, not many can explain their outrageous costs to an already
expensive trip. In our research, Educational Consultants do not require a degree
and do not need any qualifications. There are not any state or government
regulations that they need to comply with. With this, most EC's are a product of
someone that has worked in the field of schools or programs, and there are some
that are qualified. The game is figuring out the difference if you need
one. We don't appreciate these games when it involves our children.
The Independent Educational Consultants are a group formed to elaborate their
proclaimed profession. They do have certain standards to meet within their
own group, however they are not regulated or governed by any State or
Governmental Offices. Some are very knowledgeable and quite impressive, however
some are extremely self-centered. Most will refer to the same programs time
after time. This may not be the best case for your child and family. We have
found that there are many politics that mandate their decisions into the same
programs and schools time after time. With families that we have spoken with
that used an EC, tell us their EC has recommended the same school or program as
the previous family (most always starting with Wilderness). There seems to be a
pattern here; We feel parents should realize just because they are paying a high
priced EC, doesn't mean they are getting the interest for their child in our
opinion.
We are not saying that one should not hire an Educational Consultant if they
deem it necessary; we are telling parents to do research, investigate and
consider your child. In most cases, your therapist can be more beneficial to
make a final decision in placement of a child. It can be helpful if the child’s
local therapist can participate in helping parents make the most appropriate
choice.
|
