An Associated Press investigation has uncovered that a business model originally targeting rebellious teenagers from wealthy families has shifted its focus to adopted children, who are now vastly overrepresented in what is known as the 'troubled teen industry.' This sprawling network of loosely regulated, for-profit residential treatment centers, wilderness programs, and boarding schools houses an estimated 25-40% of adopted children, despite them making up only 2% of the U.S. child population.
Dubious Diagnosis
Many facilities charge up to $20,000 a month, promising to treat reactive attachment disorder (RAD). However, experts argue that most teenagers in these facilities do not have RAD, and the treatment offered would not be effective even if they did. The diagnosis is intended for young children under five who have experienced severe neglect, not for older children with behavioral issues. Dr. Brian Allen from Penn State's Center for the Protection of Children notes that RAD is extremely rare and has been 'corrupted' by overuse, leading to calls for its removal from the DSM.
Little Oversight, Big Profits
The AP identified at least 80 private facilities advertising adoption-related treatments. Private equity firms have been acquiring these centers, drawn by profit margins of around 20%. Minimal regulation compared to other healthcare settings allows operators to cut staffing costs and extend stays. One company, Family Help & Wellness, backed by private equity, operates over a dozen facilities and faces multiple lawsuits alleging abuse. The company stated it supports tighter regulations and prioritizes safety, but two of its North Carolina properties closed after child deaths in recent years.
Lost Adolescence
Kate, a former resident of Family Help & Wellness facilities, described being sexually assaulted at Asheville Academy and later subjected to physical restraints at Uinta Academy. She recounted being held face-down on the carpet by staff for an hour, screaming 'I can't breathe,' and facing punishments like scrubbing floors with a toothbrush or laboring in extreme heat. A congressional investigation led by Senator Ron Wyden found chronic understaffing, improper restraints, and widespread abuse across such facilities, describing them as 'warehouses of neglect' rather than places of healing.
The AP investigation highlights the urgent need for reform in an industry where adopted children, promised forever homes, instead face institutionalization and abuse.
