Now 2 1/2, Wendy and her mother might be mistaken for strangers. It seemed that Sierra just didn't know what to do with Wendy, and she was visibly uncomfortable with Wendy's needs and tendencies. Sometimes Sierra felt that Wendy was "inconsolable" and just couldn't be soothed. Sierra continues to struggle with her moods, and she finds it exceedingly difficult to attend to Wendy.
Sierra has managed to find her way into a parenting group and met a nice single dad there. She might have imagined that he was interested in her; she wasn't sure. It might be that she goes back again, and maybe not. Sierra didn't have time right now to think about her own needs and was focused on the kids.
* Describe typical developmental milestones for a 2 1/2 year old child.
* Illuminate the family system based on the readings and indicate the various systems of which Wendy is a part.
* What resources might be available for Sierra and Wendy if their relationship continues to be a difficult one? Assume an anxious-avoidant attachment style as your group indicated last week.
1. Describe typical developmental milestones for a 2 1/2 year old child.
ReplyDeleteA 2 ½ year old child continues to develop and reaches different milestones than a child at 18 months. Physically, a 2 ½ year old is about 32 to 40 inches tall, weighs between 22 and 38 pounds, can walk by himself or herself, and can even walk backwards. They can also run, climb, walk up and down the stairs without assistance, kick a ball, throw and roll a ball, feed themselves, drink from a cup, and they almost have a full set of teeth. In addition, a 2 ½ year old experiments by touching, smelling, and tasting things, turns the pages of a book, opens cabinets and drawers, builds a tower of four to six cubes, continues to scribble, and some children learn how to use the toilet. Cognitively, 2 ½ year olds can follow simple instructions, repeat words, hum and try to sing simple songs, have a vocabulary of about 300 words, and they typically use two to three word sentences and phrases when talking using real words (not made-up words). They also may begin to sort objects by shape and color and enjoy listening to stories, rhymes, and songs. On the social and emotional level, 2 ½ year olds have more interest in having company while they play, although they still prefer playing just alongside of others, not with them (parallel play). At this age, children typically talk to themselves, play make-believe, become possessive of their toys, and really want to do things by themselves without help. They are usually affectionate (give hugs and kisses), shy with strangers, have separation anxiety, and are easily frustrated and emotional as seen through temper tantrums (hence the “terrible twos”). Overall, a 2 ½ year old reaches many crucial developmental milestones that parents should be aware of.
Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics (2011). Developmental milestones: 2 year olds. Retrieved on February 6, 2012, from http://www.healthychildren.org/english/ages-stages/toddler/pages/Developmental-Milestones-2-Year-Olds.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token
Oesterreich, L. (2008). 2-year-olds ages and stages. Retrieved on February 6, 2012, from http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1530D.pdf
2. Illuminate the family system based on the readings and indicate the various systems of which Wendy is a part.
ReplyDeleteWendy Marianna is part of a family system consisting of her and her mother. Many times children with disabilities live in single-parent homes, predominantly with the mother, as Wendy and Sierra illustrate. The stress of being a single mother with two children, especially one with a disability, changes the family dynamic to be one of tension and challenges. Because family relationships rely on cohesion and adaptability, Sierra must do quite a bit of work on herself if she is to create a powerful mother-daughter relationship with Wendy. Wendy is also involved in another family system relationship; the sibling bond. According to the article, when one sibling has a disability, the bond between them is no less than when no disability exists (Lifespan Perspective on the Family and Disabilities, 12). It has also been said that the bond of siblings is stronger than other family systems, therefore Wendy’s seemingly strained relationship with her mother is not predicative of her relationship with her sibling. Wendy is not part of a parent family system with her father due to his departure before her birth. Unfortunately, Wendy has no relationship with any grandparents or her extended family, who could have helped take care of Wendy and provide support for her mother. In synopsis, Wendy is part of both a single parent family system and a sibling family system.
Source:
Berry, J., Hardman, M. (1997, October 24). Families as systems. Lifespan perspectives on the family and disability. Allyn & Bacon.
3. What resources might be available for Sierra and Wendy if their relationship continues to be a difficult one? Assume an anxious-avoidant attachment style as your group indicated last week.
ReplyDeleteThere are many support systems that Wendy and Sierra are apart of and may not even know it. There are also many programs that would benefit the two, if Sierra were willing to look into them. Education programs for infants and toddlers emphasize family involvement as a core concept and through the development of the Individualized Family Service Plan; Sierra could receive the help she needs in navigating her role as a caregiver. IFSP would continue as Wendy grew older and eventually entered elementary schools. Since this program stresses family involvement, it would be greatly beneficial for the pair because Sierra would have the opportunity to work with an educator who would help guide her in the direction of specific routines that she is expected to hold for Wendy as her mother. Also, by participating in these programs, Wendy would be exposed to other children and activities that would allow her to start working on her social relationships with peers at an early age, improving her social skills. In order for Sierra to have enough time to focus on her own needs and partake in adult social activities, Sierra could find childcare for Wendy. In-home care and respite care are two options available through family support programs administered by the state or private agencies. Additionally, if Sierra allows herself time to participate in activities with other adults, such as the parenting group, she could expand her social support without even realizing it. Although programs that provide specialized childcare come from early intervention and special education programs, informal support creates social lives for parents and decreases loneliness, which is something Sierra is struggling with.
Sources:
Bruder, M. B. (n.d.). The Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). KidNeeds. Retrieved February 9, 2012, from www.kidneeds.com/diagnostic_categories/articles/indivfamilyserviceplan.htm
Dicke, J. (n.d.). Attachment Continuum. Attachment & Bonding - Learn About Attachment Disorder, Issues. Get. Retrieved February 10, 2012, from http://attachment.adoption.com/bonding/attachment-continuum.html
Questions for other blogs:
ReplyDeleteLisa Yoo:
1) Financial support for children with disabilities has been controversial for many years. Is there an average cost projected throughout the lifespan?What are the most prominent costs related to CP? And do the costs for services change as more or less are needed? Is the government, or Lisa's parents, or both responsible for the cost?
2) Do you think it is likely that Lisa will grow up having learning disabilities because of her CP? Why or why not?
3) Tim and Yuting are not sure whether or not to have another child in fear of risk of the child having CP as well as Lisa. What are the outcomes of having another child with CP? Are there any preventable measures the couple can take to prevent another child with CP? If so, what are they?
Terrance Singh:
1) Child protective services has concluded that it is unsafe for Terrance to be in the home. What is the likelihood of Terrance returning to live with his mother? What conditions will have to be met by Vasha? Will Vasha be receiving any sort of help, and will Terrance's current treatments provided by IDEA be intensified?
2) Why do you think Terrance acts out more in his home setting? Is it possible that he is craving physical and emotional craving, but wants it from someone other than Vasha? Are there clues that suggest that the calls for CPS were absolutely necessary?
3) Describe the typical behavioral milestones for a child of Terrance’s age. Should Vasha and CPS be worried about his tantrums and dislike to be held? What should Vasha do to help with the tantrums and emotional attachment that Terrance is expressing?
Thomas Mahoney:
1) Does every child with autism act in the same manner? Are there specific diagnostic criteria and/or manifestations that must be present to be diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder? Is it possible for Thomas to have a savant skill?
2) Why do you think Molly and Ian want to send Thomas to a Montessori school as opposed to a public school? Do Montessori schools specialize in assisting children with autism?
3) Since Thomas has been diagnosed with ASD, and some of those qualities include temper tantrums and the inability to control anger, how do you think Ian will handle those moments with his physical challenges? Is there a greater risk for injury for both Ian and Thomas in those situations? Would you suggest Thomas and Molly reach out for an extra pair of hands around the house since they are opposed to day care?
Ahmad Nassar:
1) Why do you think Khalid and Sasha taught Ahmad sign language when he was only 18 months old?
2) Do you think Ahmad’s use of three different languages will make it difficult for him to communicate effectively with his peers once he is old enough to attend school? Do you think his attachment style to his parents will make it difficult to use anything but Arabic and sign language when communicating outside of the family? Why or why not?
3) Ahmad’s parents had heated discussions about which religion should the family practice while raising children. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages to be raised in a multiple religion household? Should Ahmad’s parents wait until he is old enough to decide which religion to practice? Why or why not?