For each of the case studies below, you are required to formulate a provisional diagnostic picture that could describe each of these children, as well as create a provisional systemic treatment plan targeting your diagnoses.
Support both your diagnostic impressions and systemic treatment plans with supportive research on the diagnosis and treatment of child and adolescent psychopathology through a family systems approach. Culture and legal-ethical considerations must be included for each case study.
Your paper MUST be typed, double-spaced, in 7th ed. APA style and must be written at graduate level English.
You are required to use the course reading materials as well as current, evidence-based research to support your responses and reference in APA format.
Course book is: Abnormal Child Psychology 7th ed. by Eric J. Mash and David A. Wolfe.
Each Case should be approx. 4 pages per case.
Entire assignment should be 12 pages plus a title and reference page
Case Study 1. – Maria
Maria is a 9-year old Latina American referred to you by her pediatrician who is concerned about a range of behaviors including those that often signal a child anxiety disorder. Mariaâs parents report that she has difficulty paying attention and concentrating. She is also reluctant to do her school work and finds spelling and reading hard. Her parents report that Maria often seems detached and off in âher own little worldâ. She has an active imagination, which includes imaginary friends.
Mariaâs parents report concerns about her self-esteem and feel she is very shy. Maria experienced difficulty adjusting to her multi-grade class because she feels shy and nervous around older children. According to her parents Maria has always been shy and reluctant to participate with others. She is so shy, according to her parents, that she does not always answer when someone says “hi” or she speaks so softly that she can’t be heard. She generally appears shy with everyone. In addition, she is reluctant to leave home to go to school or on outings and errands. She needs to be coaxed and cajoled to leave the house and has missed several school days this year. Maria’s parents also described Maria as nervous and anxious. They report that when Maria is nervous she will get up and walk away or detach from the situation and withdraw into her imagination. Mother reports that Mariaâs anxiety and withdrawal seems to have gotten worse after a sleep over at her grandparent’s house last summer.
Your responses must include:
consideration of developmental, sociocultural, biological and familial aspects of child psychology.
evidence-based treatment models in individual and family therapy
cultural considerations as well as any legal and ethical obligations in this situation
Case Study 2. â Clara
Clara is a 14-year old African American adolescent referred by her pediatrician. Clara was brought in by her natural mother. Clara has been treated for ADHD since she was 4 years old, and her mom describes her behavior as deteriorating over the past year. She has always been oppositional and impulsive, and has struggled academically, but more recently she has become increasingly irritable and sexually provocative, with several recent boyfriends. She has trashed the house on several occasions, and her mom has discovered that Clara has been accessing pornography on the internet and suspects she has been smoking marijuana. Several months ago, Claraâs parents separated due to a volatile relationship and her mother now has a new partner.
During your interview, Clara is wearing a lot of make-up and revealing clothing, and behaves in a seductive manner, talking rapidly. She is disinhibited, inattentive, and restless, and explodes angrily when talking about her parentâs divorce and her motherâs new boyfriend. She tells you, âask my mother what he tried to doâ. Mother says she doesnât know what Clara is talking about and that she often fabricates stories. Mom describes Clara as having high levels of energy, and mood fluctuations from irritable to low, with occasional suicidal thoughts. There is a family history of abuse, ADHD, depression, and bipolar disorder.
Your responses must include:
consideration of developmental, sociocultural, biological and familial aspects of child psychology.
evidence-based treatment models in individual and family therapy
cultural considerations as well as any legal and ethical obligations in this situation
Case Study 3 â Gabriel
Gabriel is an 8-year old Chinese American boy who is very defiant at home and at school. He has always had trouble in school, especially in completing assignments on time, even though he has above-average intelligence. While he generally gets along fairly well with other kids, he has problems with needing to have his own way or go first in games. At home he has outbursts of anger, destroys things and appears insensitive to the needs of others. He has severe concentration problems, almost no matter what he is doing, whether it is watching TV or doing schoolwork. He is almost always agitated, often impulsive and quickly gets angry.
He has nightmares several times a month. These often wake him and he gets scared that thieves can get into the house and attack or abduct them. He has some reading and writing difficulties, which are worsened by the concentration problems and the impulsivity. Gabriel lives with his mother who is 27 years old. His mother does not know how to handle him and says she alternates between being strict and punishing, desperate and despondent, or she bribes him with videos and games.
Your responses must include:
consideration of developmental, sociocultural, biological and familial aspects of child psychology.
evidence-based treatment models in individual and family therapy
cultural considerations as well as any legal and ethical obligations in this situation
Activity Outcomes
Develop strengths-based treatment plans.
Discuss culture and diversity in working with children and adolescents.