502 week 1 db
For your thread, you will develop a case study by creating a scenario involving a child between 3–12
years of age. Write as if the child is being referred to you or your agency for help with a presenting
developmental or behavioral problem. Include adequate, yet concise information. You only need to
include the most relevant details. This should include demographics, family dynamics, parenting styles,
cultural considerations, the influence of religion, behavioral history of the child, temperament, and other
pertinent facts that make your case unique. Do not make your presenting problem a mental illness
diagnosis like bipolar disorder or conduct disorder. Instead, the issue must be relevant to development
and the challenges related to development for a child this age. You must include enough detail and
clarification that your classmates can analyze your case study using the theories and developmental
concepts from the readings during Modules/Weeks 1–2.
Reply Prompt: You must reply to 2 classmates’ case studies. In each reply, you will use the
theories and concepts from Chapters 1–4 to analyze the presented case, addressing the following
topics:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. From Chapter 4, discuss the influence of parenting style or attachment in your
classmates’ case.
4. Conclude by suggesting 1 environmental modification that would be useful as an
intervention to this case.
Submit your thread by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week 1, and submit your 2 replies
by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/
Post- jenessa: Sarah is an 8 year old female that has been in foster care for the past two
years. She was recently referred to our non-profit organization, Grace River Counseling.
She has been having emotional outbursts with her foster family and has received several
mark ups at her school, due to poor grades and aggressive behavior toward other girls her
age. Sarah is an only child and her biological mother died in a car accident when Sarah was
two. Her father is alive, but left Sarah’s mother when she was eleven months old. Sarah’s
father is a Caucasian, American and of the Muslim faith. Sarah cannot recall any memories
of her father, but she remembers a few things about her mother. Sarah went to live with
her aunt and uncle on her father’s side when her mother died. However, she entered foster
care at age four, when it was discovered her aunt and uncle were struggling financially and
her aunt was dealing with bouts of depression and anxiety. Child Protective Services (CPS)
documented from age two until four, when she was living in her aunt and uncle’s home,
Sarah did not receive proper care. Specifically, Sarah did not receive a well-balanced diet
and was often emotionally and physically neglected when her uncle was at work and her
aunt was home. Sarah’s aunt spent entire days in bed and turned to alcohol and anti-
depressants to deal with her anxiety and depression. At times, Sarah was left alone in her
crib, without interaction with people or toys. She was often fed and had her diaper
changed only when her uncle came home. Sarah’s uncle was working two jobs to care for
their six biological children, as well as Sarah. Sarah’s aunt would have angry outbursts and
her uncle was often exhausted when he got home. This led to domestic disputes which
were reported by the neighbors. During the two years Sarah lived with her aunt and uncle,
she was exposed to a stressful environment, lack of routine and structure, inadequate
nutrition for her developing brain, lack of emotional growth, and a lack of interaction with
people and toys. From age four to current (eight), Sarah has lived with her foster family.
The family has a strong bond, healthy lifestyle, Christian faith, and a good relationship with
Sarah’s CPS worker. However, Sarah’s foster parents are concerned that Sarah’s exposure
to a stressful environment at such a young age, has left Sarah with behavioral and possibly
even physiological deficiencies. They report that since turning eight, Sarah has started
having angry outbursts. Despite their attempts at comforting and giving her a safe space to
express herself, Sarah shuts down and does not want to talk about her feelings. They are
also concerned because Sarah was recently in detention for bullying another female her
age at school. This behavior was shocking to them, because Sarah has always been very
loving and compassionate toward her foster siblings. Sarah has also received below
average grades when compared to her peers, at school in the past year. Her foster parents
are concerned she doesn’t have an appropriate level of academic competence for her age.
Sarah complains she doesn’t understand the material and doesn’t see why school is
important. Sarah’s foster parents are hoping Sarah’s counseling and her CPS worker can
help her open up about her emotions, to determine what might be affecting Sarah at this
developmental stage.
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