Residential Treatment Center for Autistic and Neurodivergent Teens

Seven Stars is a residential treatment center in Syracuse, Utah, serving teens ages 13–17 who are struggling with neurodevelopmental challenges such as autism and ADHD, along with related emotional, social, behavioral, learning, processing, and executive-function difficulties.

Our program combines residential treatment, academics, skill building, positive psychology, and experiential activities in an individualized setting. Seven Stars works with students of all genders and serves families from across the United States.

Students typically come to Seven Stars after struggling in their current environment and needing the structure, support, and consistency of a residential setting. The program is designed to understand each student as an individual and help them build greater confidence, skills, and independence.

To learn more about Seven Stars, call 844-601-1167.

Who Seven Stars Helps

Seven Stars serves teens ages 13–17 with neurodevelopmental challenges and related difficulties.

Students may struggle with:

• Autism
• ADHD and executive-function deficits
• Learning disorders
• Social-skills difficulties
• Rigidity
• Processing challenges
• Sensory-processing difficulties
• School refusal or school-related struggles
• Emotional and behavioral difficulties connected to neurodevelopmental needs

Some students arrive with multiple diagnoses, while others may not have a formal autism diagnosis but show significant executive-function or social-skills deficits.

Seven Stars works with a fairly broad range of cognitive and functional profiles. Admissions decisions are made individually based on the student’s history, needs, functioning, safety, and ability to participate in the program.

An Individualized Residential Treatment Approach

Seven Stars uses a multidisciplinary treatment model that combines residential treatment with academics, skill building, positive psychology, and experiential programming.

Rather than treating every student according to a single diagnosis, the program focuses on understanding the individual student’s strengths, challenges, learning profile, social functioning, and treatment needs.

The goal is to help students build confidence and practical skills while better understanding how they learn, communicate, regulate emotions, solve problems, and function in daily life.

Seven Stars also uses a strength-based approach. The existing program philosophy emphasizes building on a student’s strengths rather than defining the student only by areas of difficulty.

Therapy and Clinical Support

Students participate in weekly individual therapy sessions.

Seven Stars uses a multidisciplinary treatment approach that may include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Speech and language services
• Occupational therapy
• Audiology
• Outdoor and adventure-based therapeutic experiences
• Psychiatric stabilization and support

Speech and language services and occupational therapy are available to students within the program.

Academics at Seven Stars

Academics are integrated into the residential treatment experience.

Seven Stars serves students in grades 8–12. The academic program is structured around a therapeutic classroom model designed to help students identify what works—and what does not work—for them in school.

Average class sizes are approximately six to eight students.

Students typically spend about 20 hours per week in classroom instruction, in addition to physical education. Academic work may include subjects such as:

• Math
• Science
• Social studies
• Reading
• Art
• Health and fitness
• Study and homework skills

Students are able to work at an individualized pace. The academic environment also incorporates skills such as:

• Time management
• Organization
• Coping strategies
• Emotional regulation
• Problem solving
• Social skills
• Study skills
• Self-advocacy
• Academic motivation

The goal is not only to help students make academic progress, but also to build the skills and confidence they will need to function more successfully in future school environments.

Experiential and Adventure-Based Activities

Experiential learning is an important part of life at Seven Stars.

Students participate in on-campus and off-campus activities that may include:

• Hiking
• Mountain biking
• Canoeing
• Skiing
• Recreation
• Service work
• Field trips
• Outdoor adventure activities

These experiences are designed to give students opportunities to practice communication, teamwork, responsibility, self-reliance, problem solving, and flexibility outside the therapy office.

Students typically participate in experiential and recreational programming several days each week, with some students taking part in overnight camping and adventure experiences when appropriate.

Activities are supervised by staff and integrated into the broader residential treatment environment.

What Daily Life Looks Like

Students live in a structured residential environment seven days a week.

A typical day may include:

• Morning routines, hygiene, and chores
• Group and individual therapeutic work
• Classroom instruction
• Physical education
• Study time
• DBT skill-building activities
• Community-based recreation
• Experiential learning
• Social calls with family

Students also participate in residential routines that help them practice responsibility, self-care, organization, and daily living skills.

Family Involvement

Family participation is an important part of the Seven Stars program.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to remain involved throughout treatment through regular communication and therapeutic work.

Family involvement may include:

• Weekly family therapy calls
• Social calls between students and family
• Letters through Family Connect
• Parent therapeutic assignments
• Family visits
• Individualized family therapy
• Transition planning
• Home visits or leaves of absence when appropriate

Seven Stars encourages parents to participate actively in the treatment process and to prepare alongside their child for the transition home or to the next level of care.

Length of Stay

Students typically stay at Seven Stars for approximately 10–12 months.

The actual length of treatment depends on the individual student’s needs, progress, and transition plan. The internal admissions guide notes that there is not a strict minimum or maximum length of stay.

Transition and Aftercare Planning

Transition planning is part of the treatment process.

Families typically have multiple discussions with members of the treatment team during the student’s stay to help determine appropriate next steps.

Students are also involved in creating transition plans so they can take an active role in preparing for life after Seven Stars.

Depending on the student’s needs, recommendations after treatment may include:

• Returning home with outpatient support
• Working with a home-based therapist
• Continued educational or therapeutic support
• A longer-term therapeutic school or residential setting
• Additional coordination with educational consultants or community providers

Serving Families Across the United States

Seven Stars is located in Syracuse, Utah, and serves families from across the country.

The nearest major airport is Salt Lake City International Airport, approximately 40 minutes from the program by car. Families may travel to the program directly, and some students arrive with therapeutic transport support.

Tours may also be available as part of the admissions process.

This national admissions model means families do not need to live in Utah to consider Seven Stars.

Is Seven Stars the Right Fit?

Seven Stars is designed for teens who need a structured residential environment and who are struggling with neurodevelopmental, emotional, behavioral, social, learning, or executive-function challenges.

Admissions decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

The team reviews factors such as:

• Clinical history
• Current diagnoses and symptoms
• Cognitive and functional profile
• Safety concerns
• Ability to manage daily living skills
• Medical needs
• School functioning
• Previous treatment
• Family concerns

Not every student is appropriate for the program, and some presentations may require a different level or type of care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ages does Seven Stars serve?

Seven Stars serves teens ages 13–17.

How long do students typically stay?

The average length of stay is approximately 10–12 months, though actual treatment length depends on the student’s individual needs and progress.

Does Seven Stars work with students from outside Utah?

Yes. Seven Stars serves families from across the United States and is located in Syracuse, Utah.

Does Seven Stars provide academics?

Yes. Seven Stars provides an academic program for students in grades 8–12. The classroom model is designed to support both academic progress and the development of coping, organizational, social, and self-advocacy skills.

How are families involved?

Family involvement may include weekly family therapy, social calls, parent assignments, visits, family therapy sessions, and transition planning.

What therapies are available?

The program uses a multidisciplinary approach that includes individual therapy and may include CBT, DBT, speech and language services, occupational therapy, audiology, and experiential or adventure-based treatment.

Does Seven Stars accept insurance?

Seven Stars is out of network with insurance providers. The admissions team can verify whether a family has out-of-network benefits, but insurance coverage is not guaranteed. Families should not make a placement decision based on the assumption that insurance will pay for treatment.

Talk With the Seven Stars Admissions Team

Choosing residential treatment is a significant decision.

The Seven Stars admissions team can help families understand the program, discuss a student’s needs, review whether the program may be an appropriate fit, and explain the next steps in the admissions process.

Call 844-601-1167 to speak with the admissions team