Why Your Child Might Need an Alternative School

Some children and adolescents might require an alternative schooling environment due to medical or special needs that might not be addressed in a traditional school setting. If your child has special needs that might not be addressed in a traditional school setup, then you might want to consider alternative schools to ensure your child cannot miss out on developmental and career growth.

What is the sole purpose of an alternative school?

Alternative schools were established in the early seventies to cater to the needs of kids and adolescents with difficulties catching up with normal learners in conventional school environments. Children for example with various medical and behavioural conditions or those with advanced skills cannot effectively learn in a traditional school setting and that is the sole purpose of alternative schools; to address the needs of children and adolescents who need special attention.

Generally, alternative schools have specific objectives of learning outcomes in a child, these are: to improve and boost self-esteem, to enhance social skills and foster growth and development. Do these schools achieve their objectives in the long run? Yes, because they have flexible administrative structures to allow for a variety of programs running concurrently not following any specific syllabuses like they do in a conventional school environment.

Alternative schools are primarily designed for disruptive students who are likely to drop out of school and especially now that society has realized that many children cannot effectively learn in a traditional school setting prompting for expansion and development of alternative schools to cater for the educational needs of those with personality disorders, violent and those addicted to hard drugs, and those with depressions and hyperactivity. These schools are developed and designed to cater for their needs and to provide clinical services as per each case.

How affordable are alternative schools

There are special reasons why a parent or a guardian might want to consider alternative schools. If the child has difficulty catching up in a conventional setup or exhibits extraordinary behaviours that in your judgement require an alternative schooling environment, don’t wait. And the cost of these alternative schools should scare you from enrolling your child.

Different alternative schools charge differently but on average, they are affordable and sometimes scholarships and sponsorships are available from well-wishers and non-governmental organizations who mean well for our societies. So, don’t hold back your child because of the cost factor.

How to identify if your child requires alternative school

There are common signs that caregivers can spot in their child and instantly know that an alternative school is the best option for their child’s career growth and development. While some of these signs are easy to spot in a child, some are less pronounced. If you see these signs in your child or teen, they are red flags that need further investigation:

  • Your teen becomes easily irritable or becomes more emotive and prone to anger
  • Describes his or her feelings alone even when surrounded by people
  • Drastic changes in how they present themselves to the world and personal perceptions
  • Frequent fatigue and emotional exhaustion
  • Certain and disproportionate response to events due to past buildup of emotions without release
  • Pronounced feelings of hopelessness, depression, anxiety and worthlessness in teens.
  • Covering up depression with jokes going overboard to cover up uncomfortable situations.

For more information, visit www.busyschools.qld.edu.au.

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