- Use 1 theory from Chapter 1 (Freud, Erikson, Piaget, learning theory, bioecological theory, or nature vs. nurture). Demonstrate how the theory can help explain the presenting issue in the case.
- From Chapters 2 and 3, identify 1 element of brain development, stress response, or cognitive development that is relevant to the case and explain why.
- From Chapter 4, discuss the influence of parenting style or attachment in your classmates’ case.
- Conclude by suggesting 1 environmental modification that would be useful as an intervention to this case.
Case 1
Anthony is a 5-year-old boy referred to a full-time dedicated aid in school. This is Anthony’s first structured school and is new to the long days. His teachers tracked his behavior & progress requesting one on one assistance at the start of the year. His teachers said he runs away, bites, hits himself/adults and becomes anxious when it is time to do his work. Mom is a single parent. Mom has confirmed that he exhibits that kind of behavior at home. Mom also said when he exhibits those behaviors of escalation, she sends him to his room. The teachers track his behavior throughout the day in school pinpointing when he needs a DA, when he is independent, when he is out of location, when he harms himself and when he harms adults. Through the tracking, intervention methods are implemented to manage his behavior and keep him on a routine. All methods are shared amongst his mom, teachers, social worker and school psychologist. Mom uses some of the methods at home to help him manage and retain his routine he does at school. Anthony is funny child who enjoys his peers.
Case 2
Claysha is a 6-year-old female child that has been referred to my agency. She’s been having on-going behavioral problems since kindergarten. Claysha is currently in the 1st grade. Claysha was a healthy baby and delivered at full term with no complications. Teachers report that Claysha is always to herself and has mild speech delays. Claysha has trouble with school work and lacks the ability to listen when told to do something. Claysha has also had history of biting her classmates. Teachers often has meetings with Claysha’s parents, and they seemed to have no sympathy and cannot provide an explanation regarding her disruptive behaviors. Claysha lives with her father and mother and her 2 brothers (ages 8 and 2). Claysha’s father (age 37) is a retired veteran who suffers from PTSD and her mother (age 34) isn’t employed. Both parents are at home and has open schedules. However, their parenting styles are totally different. The father is more engaging of his children than the mother. It seems to be a lack of attention given from the mother as Claysha’s father mentioned about having the responsibility on dressing and doing Claysha’s hair. Claysha’s father has said he has developed house rules for Claysha and he siblings to follow; however, Claysha knows what’s expected of her to follow, but she doesn’t always care about what her consequences. Claysha’s father has mentioned that Claysha has possibly been touched/molested. Her father has attempted for Claysha to talk to a therapist, but her speech is very limited for her to share her tragic experience. Claysha is currently not seeing a therapist for this incident. The molester was a relative who was Claysha’s uncle (her mother’s brother) who was living with the family for a year after he had an early release from prison.
