Helpful Links: Special Learning Needs & Therapeutic Schools | Boarding & Day Schools | Other Useful Sites
Helpful Links
Dobson Educational Services has compiled the following links to web sites offering useful information in a variety of areas across the educational spectrum. We hope you find them helpful in your evaluation of schools and programs.
Special Learning Needs and Therapeutic Schools
Additude Magazine - Publication for people with ADD and related learning difficulties.
ADDHelpline Directory - Provided by a non-profit organization for parents and educators dealing with ADD/ADHD.
Adoptive Families Magazine - Award-winning national adoption magazine and leading adoption information source for families before, during, and after adoption.
All Kinds of Minds - Non-profit institute undertakes applied research, product development, program design and professional training to foster the understanding and optimal care of children with differences in learning.
American Residential Treatment Association - Promotes and enhances residential mental health treatment.
American Residential Treatment Association Directory - Directory of specialized mental health facilities.
ASCEND Group Inc., the Asperger & Autism Alliance for Greater Philadelphia - A local resource group for parents of children with Asperger's Syndrome
Association of Mediation and Transport Services (AMATS) - Regulatory organization for adolescent transport companies, creating and maintaining quality standards within the crisis intervention service industry.
Attachment Disorder - Wide variety of information regarding attachment issues.
Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) - The world’s leading adult ADHD organization. Has a particular interest in the needs of adults with ADHD, but their services also address children and family issues.
Center for Literacy - Based in Philadelphia, the nation’s largest community-based provider of literacy services, offering programs for adults, youth and families adults seeking to improve skills and advance their education.
Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation - Information on intervention and treatment for children with bipolar disorder.
Children
and Adults with Attention-Deficit/
Children Away - A web site for parents whose kids are away in therapeutic settings, or for parents who are considering this move.
Children's Help and Assistance for Residential Treatment (CHART) - Support organization for families with adopted children needing residential treatment.
Dore Achievement Centers - Studies about drug-free treatment of ADHD and dyslexia.
DrHallowell.com - A resource of information and tools about many areas of mental health and well being, including ADD, Parenting, and Time/Life management. Dr. Hallowell is author of several well-regarded books about AD/HD. He also runs a diagnosis and treatment center in Massachusetts.
FamilyIQ - A resource for families who have a child in a therapeutic placement. FamilyIQ offers e-learning courses developed by leading clinicians and therapists and used by many of the world's leading therapy programs for families and youth.
FamilyLight - Excellent articles and directory of special needs programs and schools. Formerly "Bridge to Understanding," FamilyLight is a consulting service for parents struggling with the psychological, behavioral or maturity issues of a son or daughter.
Friends of Families with Children in Crisis - A foundation set up to help families with children in therapeutic placements.
Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation - Dedicated to helping those with dyslexia and language-based learning differences.
Hope Renews - Founded by a group of parents whose children were in emotional distress and needed placement in residential programs.
Institute For Addiction Study - A center of learning and training where innovative strategies relating to addiction are developed and shared.
International Dyslexia Society - A non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with dyslexia, their families and the communities that support them.
Jessica Kingsley Publishers - An independent publishing company specializing in books on autism, Asperger's Syndrome and other educational and mental health topics for parents, professionals, academics and the general reader.
LDInfo - Non-profit organization provides resources and solutions for parents and teachers of students who learn differently.
Learning Disabilities Association of America - Leading resource for information on learning disabilities, providing support to people with learning disabilities, their parents, teachers and other professionals.
Learning Disabilities Online - World’s leading web site on ADHD and learning disabilities.
Menninger - Leading psychiatric center dedicated to treating individuals with mood, personality, anxiety and addictive disorders, teaching mental health professionals and advancing mental healthcare through research.
Mothers With Attitude - Helpful hints for mothers of special needs kids.
National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) - Works to ensure that the nation's 15 million children, adolescents, and adults with learning disabilities have every opportunity to succeed in school, work and life.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) - The national information and referral center for information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators and other professionals.
National Organization of Therapeutic Schools and Programs - A resource for programs and professionals assisting young people with emotional and behavioral difficulties.
New York University Child Study Center (CSC) - An excellent source of information and support for parents on topics of children's mental health.
NLDOnline - NLDline understands how important it is for families of children diagnosed with nonverbal learning disorders (NLD) and related disorders, educators who teach children with NLD, medical professionals working with individuals diagnosed with NLD, and individuals with NLD who are seeking support, to have access to as much information as is currently available.
Nonverbal Learning Disorders Association - Non-profit corporation dedicated to research, education and advocacy for nonverbal learning disorders, a neurophysiological disorder originating in the right hemisphere of the brain.
Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation (OCF) - OCF, with more than 10,000 members, is an international not-for-profit organization composed of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders, their families, friends, professionals and other concerned individuals.
Outdoor Behavioral Health Industry Council - An oversight and research group setting standards and licensing procedures for outdoor-based therapeutic programs. Includes studies documenting the effectiveness of quality outdoor treatment programs.
Pennsylvania Branch of the International Dyslexia Society - Serves Pennsylvania and Delaware, providing support and information for individuals, families and educational professionals concerned with the issues of dyslexia and learning differences.
Strugglingteens.com - Founded by Lon Woodbury to help parents of teens making poor decisions select a private, parent-choice program that would help return the family to normalcy.
Teen Help Adolescent Resources - Information and support for families with teen challenges.
Woodbury Reports - Lon Woodbury's extremely useful site includes articles and site-visit reviews of special needs schools and programs.
WorryWiseKids - Information about anxiety disorders in children and teens. Addresses the growing needs of our children to be equipped to cope with and overcome the stress, worry and anxieties in their life.
WrightsLaw - Useful information on laws applying to children with learning differences.
Boarding & Day Schools
AdmissionsQuest - Boarding school and private school profiles, search tools, applications, blogs and videos, designed to connect families with schools. A community hub for families asking questions and learning about boarding school.
Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) - Reference tool for families evaluating college-preparatory boarding schools and boarding school education.
Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools - Comprehensive information on 140 independent schools throughout the tri-state region, covering eastern Pennsylvania, northern Delaware, and Central and Southern New Jersey.
Association of Junior Boarding Schools - Consortium of twelve boarding schools, coed and boys, ranging from kindergarten to grade nine, some offering day options. Committed to creating a positive and dynamic awareness of the junior boarding school experience as an enriching and challenging yet nurturing choice for the education of elementary and middle-school-age children.
Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States - Directory of schools (college preparatory schools; two-year colleges; and colleges and universities) that provide a quality education in a military environment, with emphasis on strong values, leadership development, citizenship and service to others.
Boarding School Options from U.S. Department of State - Intended as a boarding school guide for Foreign Service families, but also a very useful source of information for any family considering a boarding school option in the U.S. or abroad.
Boarding School Review - A unique look into United States boarding schools, offering alumni reviews, detailed school profiles and interactive tools to compare boarding schools across more than 20 important dimensions.
Canadian Association of Independent Schools - Information designed to help families research independent elementary and secondary schools in Canada and schools abroad that offer a Canadian curriculum.
Educational Records Bureau (ERB) - Independent school preK-12 admissions and achievement tests.
Independent Schools Association of Northern New England - Impartial information about the quality private schools in northern New England, so that the reader can make an informed educational decision. Does not promote one school over another and makes every attempt to present each school in an equal light.
International Baccalaureate Organization - Non-profit educational foundation offering three programs for students age 3 to 19 to help develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world. Directory of schools offering the IB curriculum in the US and abroad.
National Coalition of Girls' Schools - Information about education for girls, with links to all-girls schools nationwide.
New York Boarding Schools - Association of 13 boarding schools located in New York State, serving students from around the nation and the world. Brief introduction to each school.
Peterson's - Information about colleges and universities, career schools, graduate programs, distance learning, executive training, private secondary schools, summer opportunities, study abroad, financial aid, test preparation and career exploration.
Private Schools – About.com - Information from private schools consultant Robert Kennedy to help parents and students evaluate private school options and compare private vs. public school options.
Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) - Online student guide for SSAT testing, administered by SSATB, test program provider to independent secondary schools nationally and internationally.
StudyinBC.org - Information about schools in British Columbia, Canada’s westernmost province.
StudyinCanada.com - Comprehensive directory of the excellent educational opportunities available in Canada, including private boarding schools, language schools, and colleges.
Ten Schools Admissions Organization (TSAO) - Starting point for families considering the boarding school option. Features information about ten highly-selective boarding schools – Choate Rosemary Hall, Deerfield Academy, The Hill School, The Hotchkiss School, The Lawrenceville School, The Loomis Chaffee School, Phillips Academy, Phillips Exeter Academy, St. Paul’s School and The Taft School – as well as links to sites helpful in any boarding school search or evaluation.
Western Boarding School Association - Guide to 40 of the strongest college preparatory schools in the Western U.S. and Canada.
Other Useful Sites
Academic Management Services (AMS) - AMS, a Sallie Mae® company, provides families with saving-, planning- and paying-for-college tools and information, including a suite of loan programs to help them fund education costs.
Boys Project - The mission of The Boys Project is to help young males develop their capabilities and reach the potential that their families and teachers know they have. The Boys Project seeks to increase academic skills and college success and develop the confidence, drive, and determination to contribute to society.
Brown Ledge Gap Year - Acclaimed gap year program focuses on American cities, community service and the making of documentaries.
Center for Creative Youth at Wesleyan University - Summer pre-college program offers talented pre-college high school students five weeks of intensive study in the arts at Wesleyan University, emphasizing multicultural and interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking and leadership.
Center for Interim Programs - Longest-running independent gap-year counseling organization in the United States, with database of over 5,600 program opportunities. Works one-on-one with individuals of all ages to tailor a combination of program options that match interests, needs and goals.
Center for Talented Youth (CTY) at Johns Hopkins University - Focusing on the needs of students with exceptionally high academic abilities. Offers gifted students, as well as their families and schools, a wide range of programs and services to nurture their intellectual abilities, enhance personal development and foster better understanding of the needs of talented youth.
Clark Behavioral Health Financing - Customized financing plans for behavioral health treatment, including treatment centers; transitional living facilities; wilderness programs; eating disorder clinics; drug or alcohol rehab, weight loss; inpatient and out patient services.
Davidson Institute for Talent Development has prepared a free Gap Year Resource Guide. It is helpful for any student considering a gap year.
Donovan Tennis Strategies - Helping young tennis players plan their development and navigate the college recruiting process to find the program and school best suited for their tennis and academic goals.
Education Law Advocates - Represents children with special needs and their parents only, providing legal counsel and litigation services for special education, discrimination, student rights, disciplinary matters, suspensions, expulsions and other related issues.
Educational Services - Tutoring and test prep services for the PSAT, SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, GMAT, MCAT, as well as the SSAT and ISSEE. Instruction tailored to meet the individual needs of each student. Three Philadelphia-area offices.
Educere - Online education resource with learning provided by leading education providers across the globe. Over 3,000 single-course offerings for K-12 students, educators, schools and families. High, middle and elementary school, college, advanced placement and vocational education for students
EF Education First - World’s largest private education company. Language and culture education for students and professionals in more than 50 countries.
Everything Summer - Summer activity advice and counseling for parents looking to find the right camp or teen program for their children.
FACTS Management Company - Provides payment plan, financial aid, enrollment, donor management and educational planning solutions.
GapYear.com - Broad range of information about gap-year programs and placements.
Global Works - Global Works trips for teens and young adults offer an exciting and rewarding experience by providing an additional "purpose" for travel – combining community service, cultural exchange, adventure travel and language learning.
Great Schools - Compare K-12 school ratings nationwide to find the best schools. View parent ratings, reviews and test scores and choose the right preschool, elementary, middle or high school for public or private education.
Homeschool.com - Extensive information resource about home schooling, providing resources, information and support to home schooling families.
Home School Legal Defense Association - Nonprofit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the education of their children. Advocates on the legal front on behalf of members in matters that include conflicts with state or local officials over home schooling
Interim Year (Gap Year) Opportunities
Interim Year (Gap Year) Opportunities - This link on the Phillips Academy web site will take you to an extensive list of Summer Opportunities and Gap Year programs that you can download as an Adobe pdf file. You will need Adobe Reader to view this file. It is a free download.
Knowledge Exchange Institute - Enrichment programs for high school and pre-college students. Wide selection of major-specific courses and professional internships in English as well as the language of the host country. Students can also take courses in foreign languages, area studies, humanities and liberal arts. Scholarships, grants and interest-free payment plans available for qualified students.
Lattitude Global Volunteering, formerly Gap Activity Projects - The original gap year charity, specializing in volunteer opportunities for 17-25 year-olds. Selection of international placements in the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, India, South East Asia and Africa – and from South America to Canada. Includes phone numbers for organizations and a bibliography.
LEAPNOW - Gap year and semester programs designed to teach students about themselves and the world. Thousands of diverse international and domestic learning experiences in 126 countries. Primary elements of each program are cultural immersion, study abroad and work abroad.
MetroKids - Information resource for parents in the Greater Philadelphia area, with a calendar of family-friendly events, articles, information about schools and summer programs... and more.
National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) - Generates research (statistics, facts, findings) on home-based education (home schooling).
Oak Meadow Curriculum & School - Innovative home-based learning opportunities for students from preschool to high school.
Outward Bound - Non-profit educational organization that serves people of all ages and backgrounds through active learning expeditions that inspire character development, self-discovery and service – both in and out of the classroom.
Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School - Public cyber charter school chartered and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The school serves more than 4,000 students throughout Pennsylvania from kindergarten through 12th grade in a home-based setting.
Sallie May K-12 Education Loans - Sallie Mae’s K-12 Family Education Loan can be used to cover the entire cost of a child's education and expenses at private schools.
Specialists of Schools Association - Philadelphia-area non-profit organization of private-practice professionals who work with children, schools and parents. Promotes ongoing professional development, increases awareness of local services that support children and collaborates across disciplines to help children have successful learning experiences.
Summer Discovery - Pre-college and middle school summer travel and enrichment experiences, organized by IECA consultant Mike Musiker and family.
Teen Safe - From Children's Hospital Boston, a very good brain research-based presentation on the dangers of alcohol and other drugs for teens.
Tips on Trips and Camps - Quick and easy way for busy parents to find carefully screened, quality summer experiences for kids, tweens and teens. Free advisory service on trips and camps throughout the US and abroad.
Tuition Management Systems - Education financing counseling service combines unique software with personal counseling, to help families review the most affordable loan and credit options for financing education costs.
Where There Be Dragons - Summer youth programs and semester, gap-year and college-accredited programs in China and many other parts of the world.
Where You Headed? - Organization that assists high school and college students who are seeking summer or “time-out” options.
