A Hard But Helpful Step: Navigating Residential Treatment for Adopted Kids

Are you considering residential treatment for your adopted child? We speak with Daniel Hochstetler of Fair Play Camp in South Carolina about preparing our families for residential treatment, navigating the programs, and how to set our families up for success after treatment. In this episode, we talk about: 00:01:18 - How should we think about residential treatment within the broader picture of supporting our adopted kids? 00:04:14 - When we say residential treatment in this conversation, what does that mean? 00:04:55 - How is it different from other supports families may have already tried, like therapy, out-patient programs, or in-home services? 00:06:45 - What kinds of needs is residential treatment for adopted kids designed to meet? 00:09:42 - What are some misunderstandings that make this option feel more frightening or confusing than it needs to be? 00:14:49 - What are some signs that a family may need to start thinking about a higher level of care? 00:17:42 - Who should be part of making this decision? How can adoptive parents make sure they’re not making it in isolation? 00:19:42 - When a family finds it necessary to move forward to placement in residential care, how can they talk with their child about residential treatment in a way that keeps the relationship intact? 00:23:18 - What reactions should parents expect, and how can they respond in ways that don’t escalate their child’s fear or shame? 00:27:47 - How can families stay connected while their child is in care? 00:31:12 - What helps parents partner well with the treatment team? 00:32:10 - How can parents prepare for the child’s transition home? 00:38:10 – What should parents look for in a residential program? 00:39:12 - What supports should already be in place before a child comes home? 00:42:10 - What are some simple ways to rebuild a connection without overwhelming the child? 00:47:07 - When old behaviors resurface—and they often do—how should parents respond? 00:48:32 - What does progress actually look like in real life during this phase? 00:51:14 - How can parents support siblings who may have been impacted by what’s happened? 00:53:55 - What does realistic, doable support look like for caregivers themselves? 00:56:13 - If a parent listening today feels like they’re nearing this decision, what’s one step they can take to feel more grounded and prepared for the experience? Resources: Parenting Children with Challenging Behavior (Resource Page) - https://creatingafamily.org/adoption/... Accessing Residential Treatment Care for Adoptees - https://pactadopt.org/assessing-resid... Exploring Medication for Adopted Children - https://adoptioncouncil.org/publicati... Does Your Child Need Residential Treatment - https://fosteringfamiliestoday.com/fo... Get Residential Treatment for Your Child - https://attachmenttraumanetwork.org/g... This podcast is brought to you by CreatingaFamily.org. For more tipsheets, resources, and practical information, visit our website. Music Credit: Michael Ashworth Podcast Producer: megownsoundworks.com