Boarding School, Troubled Teen, Struggling Teen-ADOLESCENT CRISIS TEAM

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Ask the program representative about their experience and treatment philosophies, if you do not agree you may not want to go any further with them. If you cannot support the programs ideas you, your child and the program will be in for long, frustrating process without the desired outcome.

Teen Runaway
One of the greatest fears that parents can experience comes when they discover that their child is missing or has run away. Parents will experience a range of emotions. The stress of the situation and the different ways in which parents, family, friends and police respond can reach crisis proportions and create further crisis within a family.
The most comprehensive study done in 1989 by the Government Accounting Office indicates 1.3 million kids are on the street each year. The Children''s Defense Fund cites approximately 1200 youth run away each day. An estimated 2.8 million youth living in the United States reported a runaway experience during the prior year (Research Triangle Institute 1995).
The Difference Between a Runaway Child and a Missing Child:
There is a difference between a child who has runaway and child that is missing. A runaway has left home or left a supervised environment. They usually run to escape or avoid something, or they are running somewhere to find or get something. A missing child might be lost, abducted, injured or held against their will by others. A runway is not necessarily missing. A runaway in not the same as a child who "sneaks" out at night to be with friends.
Motivations of a Runaway:

To avoid an emotional experience or consequence that they are expecting in some future encounter or situation
To escape a recurrent or ongoing unpleasant, painful or difficult experience in their life.
To avoid the loss of activities, relationships or friendships that are considered important or worthwhile
To be with other people who are supportive, encouraging and active
To be with others or in places that are distraction from other problems in their life
To change or stop what they are doing or about to do
One in every 7 will run away at least once before age 18--in a classroom of 35 kids, 5 will run away at least once. Most callers to the switchboard are girls and the average age is 16.
Problems that Increase the Risk of a Runaway:

Child abuse or neglect
Alcohol or drug abuse
Divorce or separations that are not handled appropriately
Oppositional and defiant behavior combined with inappropriate romantic or involvement with an antisocial peer group
Death in the family that is not handled appropriately

Warning Signs of a Potential Runaway:

Attempts to communicate result in arguments, raised voices, interruptions, name calling, hurt feelings and failure to reach an acceptable agreement.
The child has a network of friends who are largely unsupervised, oppositional, defiant, involved with drugs and other antisocial behaviors.
An increasing pattern of impulsive, irrational and emotionally abusive behavior by either the parent(s) or teenager. (Michael G. Conner, Psy.D, www.crisiscounseling.com)

If you feel like your adolescent/teenager is a potential runaway or is a runaway, please fill out our Request Information Form and we will guide your family to pre-qualifying programs.

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Disclaimer: Adolescent Crisis Team is not responsible for the contents of any pages outside our control. Information contained in Adolescent Crisis Team Services or on any linked sites is not intended as medical advice. Its intent is solely informational and educational. The information is not a substitute for talking with your health professional. Readers are advised to exercise their own further informed review, judgment, and evaluation in the selection of any and all programs, services, and health information.