For young patients and their families, the thought of falling behind on schoolwork while in inpatient or partial hospital treatment for an eating disorder can be extremely stressful — and in some cases even a deterrent to seeking the necessary level of care.
“School is a major component of life for children and teens,” says Barbara Moses, a certified K-8 school teacher and the Academics Coordinator at the Center for Eating Disorders Care. “Many of our patients are high achievers, and the ability to keep up and maintain a routine academically during treatment is critical. It contributes to feelings of self-efficacy while alleviating the burden of being completely overwhelmed when they return to school.”
The Center for Eating Disorders Care offers a robust academics program for both inpatient and partial hospital patients. It features six teachers who are certified in high school science, mathematics, English, French, and Spanish in addition to Moses’ K-8 certification. Patients participate in sessions for several hours each day in a designated classroom with six computers along with connections for laptops.
With the approval of the patient’s parents, the academics team communicates directly and confidentially with guidance counselors or individual teachers to obtain class work and assignments. The team works with the school to modify assignments as necessary to ensure realistic expectations. On a weekly basis, completed work is sent back to the school so that teachers can keep up with grading.
“This program is different than simply providing tutors — we’re actually teaching the lessons that patients are missing,” adds Moses. “Working with the treatment team as part of the patient’s support system, our goal is to take academic stress out of the picture. We do everything with an eye toward making the transition home easier.”
“The eating disorder is bad enough, but to have lost her school year would have been doubly devastating. We cannot thank you [enough] for all that you have done.” ~ Anonymous Parent