Is your child struggling in traditional school settings due to emotional or behavioral challenges? Discover how EA’s alternative education programs provide the comprehensive support your child needs to succeed.
If your child is struggling with behavioral outbursts or mental health concerns that are affecting their learning, it might be time to consider alternative education programs.
Many students need more than just traditional academic support to thrive in school and beyond.
They need a well-rounded approach that takes their emotional and behavioral well-being into account, as well.
At Education Alternatives in Ohio, we know that helping your child live a fulfilling and healthy life goes beyond doing well in school. Nurturing both their academic and emotional needs is essential for their development and success.
That’s why we offer special education services designed to support both of these areas.
In our alternative education programs, we encourage our students to:
- Explore and understand their emotions
- Develop effective communication and problem-solving skills
- Build positive relationships with peers and mentors
In this article, we’ll provide a detailed look at how our alternative approach to special education services works in practice. Keep reading to discover how our programs provide the emotional support your child needs to succeed.
What are special education services for emotional needs?
Special education services help students with different needs, like speech or language delays, learning disabilities, and emotional challenges.
Our alternative education programs at EA Schools support students with a wide range of needs.
Our CORAL Autism Program, for example, is a school-day initiative that utilizes applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to address the social and emotional needs of children on the autism spectrum.
Through our VisionQuest Program, we help students with physical or cognitive disabilities transition to adulthood by teaching essential life skills and fostering greater independence.
The ECHO Credit Recovery Program gives students a second chance to earn credits for high school graduation, creating a pathway for personal and academic growth.
While mental health and emotional well-being are core aspects of all our services, this article will focus on children who require extensive emotional or behavioral support and would most likely benefit from our Day Treatment program.
How do you know if your child falls into this category?
Your child might need emotional support services if they:
- Have “emotional disturbance” listed on their IEP (Individualized Education Program)
- Are on the autism spectrum
- Have frequent outbursts or trouble controlling their behavior
- Struggle with mental health challenges
If your child struggles with these emotional or behavioral challenges in school, it is likely affecting their academic performance as well.
At Education Alternatives, our goal is to help our students succeed by focusing on the whole child. This means that we care about so much more than just their academics.
That is why we provide comprehensive support for both emotional well-being and academic achievement. Focusing on these areas gives students the support they need in school and life.
Let’s explore how our special education services offered in the Day Treatment Program empower our students to grow into confident, well-rounded adults.
How do EA’s alternative education programs support students’ emotional needs?
Our innovative Day Treatment program combines education and therapy to address the emotional and behavioral needs of K-12 Ohio students.
In this school-day program, we carefully assess each student’s challenges and help them set realistic academic and therapy goals.
These challenges may include:
- Trouble regulating emotions
- Frequent outbursts
- Difficulties in forming healthy relationships
In the classroom, our highly qualified teachers support students’ academic growth. With small class sizes and lots of one-on-one learning, we make sure your child is learning in a way that works for them.
The other half of our students’ school day is focused on their emotional development. Mental health professionals from our partner organization, REACH Behavioral Health, lead daily group therapy for students to address their emotional and behavioral needs.
In these therapy sessions, students:
- Discuss emotional triggers
- Learn coping mechanisms
- Practice their interpersonal skills
By helping students develop strategies to manage their emotions in everyday situations better, we support their healing and growth in a supportive environment.
Our dedicated team is committed to guiding students through this process, making sure they get the help they need every step of the way.
At EA, we believe a holistic approach is crucial for dealing with behavioral and emotional challenges, which is why our staff are trained in therapeutic techniques.
To further support our students and their families with their mental health and well-being, we partner with our sister organization, REACH Behavioral Health, to offer wrap-around services.
Wrap-around services at EA Schools
Wrap-around services are a holistic approach to supporting students that involves a coordinated team of professionals working together to address their academic, emotional, and social needs.
At Education Alternatives, your child can access a team of professionals, including teachers and mental health professionals, to support their overall well-being.
Our wrap-around services ensure your child receives help in all areas of their development, not just academics.
We partner with our sister organization, REACH Behavioral Health, to offer a range of support, including counseling, psychiatric care, and even family counseling during and after school.
Everything is organized in one place, so you don’t have to juggle different appointments. Our team makes sure your child gets the right help for both their learning and emotional needs, all at school.
This teamwork helps take the pressure off you as parents, making it easier to ensure your child gets the support they need, both in school and beyond.
The emotional support we offer our students goes beyond just our special education services; it’s a fundamental part of our values and what makes Education Alternatives unique.
In addition to providing wrap-around services, we support our students’ emotional needs by creating a nurturing environment where students feel supported and accepted.
Supporting your child with unconditional positive regard
We create a safe space for students to explore their emotions and overcome challenges by embracing our core philosophy of unconditional positive regard.
Unconditional positive regard means that we always show each student support, kindness, and acceptance, no matter what they say or do.
Consistent encouragement from our teachers, counselors, and staff helps students feel safe, valued, and understood. As a result, students are more likely to open up about their feelings and challenges, build strong relationships, and stay motivated to reach their goals.
In all of our alternative education programs, students learn that every day is a fresh start—a new opportunity to learn and grow. Students discover that it’s okay to make mistakes or have bad days because they will still be treated with respect and care.
Over time, this approach helps students build trust with their educators, feel more confident, and develop healthier ways to handle their emotions. These important qualities will benefit them in school and all areas of their lives.
Having a supportive team of educators and mental health professionals at school is important, but your role as a parent is just as essential for your child’s success.
How do parents meet the emotional needs of their children?
We understand that parents can often feel overwhelmed and unsure about how to help their children with emotional struggles, especially when there are frequent calls home about behavior challenges.
At Education Alternatives, we want to build a strong relationship with you by highlighting your child’s positive progress and celebrating their successes.
We want to focus on victories and improvements so you can see and feel the same positive changes we observe daily. Instead of only contacting you when there’s a problem, we want to work with you as partners to support your child’s success.
You can help support your child by staying involved and discussing your child’s progress with us. Working together and focusing on the positives can support your child’s emotional well-being and academic growth.
At Education Alternatives, we are committed to helping every child reach their full potential in school and life.
If your child is facing challenges in a traditional school environment due to emotional or behavioral issues, we’re here to help.
Contact us today to learn how our special education services can make a difference in your child’s success in school and emotional well-being.
Our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have about any of our alternative education programs.
Did you find this article helpful? Check out our other blogs to learn more about alternative education and find valuable resources for your family!