PSYC 645 Developmental Psychology

PSYC 645

CASE FILE: SARAH

Sarah is a 13-year-old, white female who has been suspended from school 3 times in the past 3 months. She lives with her mother, who is an attorney, and her father, who is an investment banker. Sarah was referred for therapy by her middle school guidance counselor because of frequent behavior problems at school.

According to Sarah’s teachers, she often threatens classmates with physical violence to get her way. Most recently, Sarah was suspended from school for punching a classmate in the stomach because she wouldn’t “get out of her way” in the lunch line. Another time, she pushed a classmate into his locker to “get her pen back.” As it turns out, the pen belonged to the classmate, not Sarah. On two occasions, Sarah was caught going through a classmate’s backpack in order to steal lunch money. Another significant concern is that Sarah skips school at least once every two weeks.

Sarah’s parents report similar behavior problems at home. Sarah’s mom says that Sarah repeatedly sneaks out of the house out night in order to meet up with a 16-year-old boy who lives down the street. Sarah’s father says that she becomes angry and defiant when either he or his wife tries to reprimand her for breaking the rules at home. Just recently, Sarah was brought home in a police car at 2 a.m. because she and some friends had broken in to a local swim club to go skinny dipping. They cut a giant hole in a chain-link fence in order to get into the club, and then they vandalized the snack bar with spray paint.

Because of the frequency and severity of Sarah’s behavior problems, the school principal explained to her parents that, if there is another violent offense at school, then Sarah will be expelled.

During Sarah’s initial psychological evaluation, the psychologist asked Sarah about her relationship with her parents. Sarah said, “I don’t know. It’s fine, guess. They both are pretty busy with work all the time. As long as I stay out of their way, then they leave me alone.”

When asked about the classmates with whom she was physically aggressive at school, Sarah replied, “They had it coming to them. I will not be disrespected.” Sarah’s developmental history revealed that her mother had separation of placenta while pregnant with her. Sarah did not crawl, and was somewhat delayed in starting to talk. She fell down the basement steps at age 3, and lost consciousness briefly.

Sarah’s parents report that they are very concerned about the course that Sarah’s life appears to be taking. They say that Sarah is an intelligent young lady with potential to excel in school.

They want assistance in creating a treatment plan for home and school that will help to get their daughter back on track.

Submit Case Presentation 3 by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week 6.

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