A Family Tells Their Story

Will was adopted by two loving and caring parents.  When he struggled, his family worked diligently to support him and encourage him in every aspect of his life. They engaged with community support programs, school, therapists, and in family therapy in an attempt to help Will be successful. However, over time it became clear that this support was not enough to help Will.

In school Will had difficulty following directions, he was not completing assignments, and he would not take “no” for an answer.  When he would become frustrated, his behavior would quickly escalate from verbal aggression to physical aggression.

Socially, Will became more and more isolated because of his behavior and his inability to develop healthy relationships with peers.

Will’s behavior at home was affecting his family in many concerning ways.  Every morning became a struggle.  Will’s relationship with his father and brother began to deteriorate to a point they had trouble communicating. Will’s mother found herself focusing more and more on Will, feeling unable to support the rest of the family or herself.  Will’s family became concerned to have company in their house because of Will's random outbursts.

In family therapy at Wediko, Will and his family explored old patterns and were given the opportunity to learn new skills:

    • Situational scripts for problematic situations,
    • Strategies for providing positive structure and boundaries,
    • Ideas for working with Will,
    • Information about Will’s strengths and weaknesses, and
    • Couple and parental support for mom and dad.


Through participation in group therapy, individual therapy, milieu therapy and family therapy, Will was able to find words to communicate his feelings and needs.  The experiences at the Wediko School with staff and students brought Will to a place where he was able to enjoy and be successful in activities such as woodworking, basketball, and animal care.

Presently Will is participating in school on a daily basis and earning A’s and B’s. He has drive and direction.  Will is achieving academically and socially.  He is involved with after school activities. He is a vital part of his family and he can be independent.   Will and his family are looking forward to the future.
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”The Wediko School includes the entire family in treatment, not just the individual at Wediko.  We discovered ourselves that this is essential to the treatment program working. We had participated in other programs before that were short term and realized that only long term programs work. The Wediko Program fostered growth and change in Will, and it greatly enhanced his functioning at home and at his community school.  The staff at Wediko was excellent; they were open and encouraged communication with parents, home and school.

Wediko kept us informed of Will’s daily and weekly progress. Wediko prepared all of us to deal with situations by developing coping skills and providing corrective emotional experiences.”
K. N., Mother of Will N.