Transitional difficulties are often the result of underlying and less apparent problems. Unrecognized due to either reluctance of the individual, family, and even professionals to clinically label adolescents and emerging adults, or to the fact that these issues in many instances are “emerging” and have not met criteria for diagnosis, these presentations require accurate identification and treatment directives. A clinical perspective is therefore critical in understanding and remediating transitional difficulties.

Psychological difficulties may include the emergence or presence of any of the following (Axis I) symptoms or diagnoses:

• Depression
• Bi-polar disorder
• Anxiety disorder
• Verbal learning disability
• Nonverbal learning disability
• Aspergers disorder
• Eating disorder
• Substance abuse

Although frequently managed in outpatient settings, the above clinical presentations are sometimes unresponsive to treatment based on complications presented by emerging or apparent personality traits. These personality styles may include characteristics of:

• Entitlement/Narcissism
• Dependence
• Avoidance
• Passive aggressiveness
• Oppositionalism
• Borderline functioning

All New Lifestyles students have an opportunity to participate in a comprehensive psychological evaluation as a component of their placement. Additionally, a consulting psychiatrist evaluates students who have been prescribed or who might benefit from psychotropic medications.The Clinical team, with the benefit of assessment data and consultation, and in conjunction with input from the students and parents, then form a comprehensive treatment approach for each student.