- Demographic Information
- Names
Mother- Hannah Goldstein, Father- John Goldstein, Child- Aiden Goldstein.
- Sex of Child- Male
- Age- Mother- 35years old, Father- 40years old, Child- 4 ½ years old.
- Sibling- Younger brother Matthew 2 ½ years old.
- Religion- Jewish practiced by all 4 family members.
- Country of origin- Father- Isreal, Mother- America, Aiden and Matthew- America.
- Parents occupation- Mother- school special Education Teacher for the Board of Education. Father- Air conditioner installer/repairman for ACHS.
- Citizenship & immigration Status- Mother and children born in the United States and are American citizens. Father was born in Isreal migrated to the United States in 2000 and became an American citizen in 2006.
- Who lives at home- Mother, Father, And two children (Aiden, and Matthew)
- Children’s school and age- Aiden attends William O’conner school where he is in grade Pre-K. Matthew attends a home base day care center.
- Language of Instruction at school- English
- Cultural Identity
- Cultural reference groups
- Father’s ethno cultural and religious background- Marracon/Ukrainian and Jewish
- Mother’s ethno cultural and religious background- American Jewish
- Ethno cultural and religious groups with which the family identifies- Family attends an American Jewish Synagogue
- Ethno cultural and religious groups with which the child self-identifies- Aiden cannot put meaning to the term American Jewish but knows he attends a Jewish Synagogue.
- Languages
- Languages spoken while growing up- Father- English, Mother- English, Children- English
- Languages currently spoken between the child and family- English
- Languages spoken at work- English
- Languages in which the child is literate- English
- Involvement with Culture of Origin
- Contact with family or friends in country of origin- Father has contact with older brother in Canada and Mother and Father in Isreal. Mother has contact with both parents and two sisters in America.
- Involvement with community organizations- attends Jewish Synagogue
- Does the child attend a group with peers of his culture of origin- No because child has severe autism.
- Does the child socialize with extended family members- Grandparents on both mother and father’s side of the family and aunts and uncles on both side’s of the family. This is done on a monthly basis.
- Does the child have friends from his culture of origin- Aiden has his classmates who are his friends.
- What is the child’s perception of his culture of origin- Aiden is too young to understand the meaning of his culture but he can identify with foods from his culture such as Matzah balls and Matzo.
- Involvement with host culture
- Does the child attend a group with peers of host culture (eg: work, religion, leisure etc)- No due to his autism it is hard for him to work with groups of others because he cannot sit still and focus on one thing at a time.
- Does the child have host culture friends- No due to his autism it is hard for Aiden to make friends.
- History and description of Special Needs
1) What special needs does the person report- Aiden has autism.
Which is considered severe. His working memory is considered to be low which happens to him chronically. His disability was first noticed at 17 months when he was not responding to his name being called by mother and father. His autism interferes with his daily functioning 100%. He cannot focus on one thing for longer than 1 minute, He cannot sit still in one place longer than one minute. He hates large crowds, and loud noises. He also has difficulty transitioning and must be on a set schedule. He has a hard time with flexible thinking.
Aiden receives special services and according to mother the services are effective because Aiden has improved in physical therapy. He can now jump in place in which he was not able to do before receiving services. His speech has also improved he is now able to communicate in 4 to 5 word-sentences opposed to not speaking at all. Aiden’s special needs became apparent at 17 months old when he constantly did not make sounds to communicate or answer to his name being called. He would cry when he heard loud noises. Aiden’s behavioral issues consist of not following directions at home and school. He was tested for Special education services and has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Aiden currently receives physical therapy, Occupational therapy, and speech therapy. He was diagnosed with autistic disorder.
- Past Medical History (Parent & Child)
1) Major illnesses, injuries- No only disability is autism.
2 Hospitalizations- No
3 Medications & Surgeries- No.
4 Parent’s relationship with their parents- Both parents established a good and healthy relationship with their parents. Both parents were raised in a loving home with their mother’s and father’s present. Both parents remember spending Hannakah together with families. Please elaborate more if necessary.
Mother was 27years old and father was 32years old when they first met in church. After one year of dating they decided to get married. Marriage was not arranged but planed out accordingly. Both families agreed to marriage and came together as one. Both parents keep in contact with each other communicating by telephone from America to Isreal on a monthly basis. Aiden was named after father’s best friend.
Aiden is a playful child who loves to laugh and run. He knows all the planets in the solar system and can identify each planet that he drew on the living room wall. He was slow to warm up to me at first but after awhile he showed me his favorite toy truck while I was speaking to his mother. Aiden likes to read and play make believe but doesn’t understand social concepts like please, thank you, or you welcome.
- Also please discuss and identify from creditable sources Cognitive development, Language Development, and Social and Emotional Development and how it may relate to Aiden and his family.
- Reflections
Describe how this project has helped you become a better teacher. What have you learned from this experience in terms of working with parents, the interviewing process, understanding child development and the application of child development theories.
