Pathways

 

When I first saw this young man he was 12 y/o and his parents were going through a difficult divorce. 12 year old with a history of behavior problems and was about to fail the 8th grade. When he came to the apt pt’s mother and father were concerned pt was having anger and behavior problems because of their divorce.

 

Based on the history, additional evaluations by pt’s current teachers and past teachers and parents, pt was diagnosed with ADHD and an Adjustment

reaction with disturbance of emotions and conduct. Parents agreed to family counseling and worked at improved coparenting skills.

 

Pt was started on a medication to address ADHD symptoms. His grades improved and he did not fail the 8th grade. He is now 14 y/o and doing very well in high school. Pt’s behaviors have improved in the home and in school. His parents continue to work on coparenting. His mother related the only issue now is his “teenage” attitude, unfortunately I don’t have a pill for that disorder!”

 

Alissa Karnes

Vice President of Northwest Operations

ESMW

 

LCCSF Success Story

Prior to beginning the in-home parent training, 16 year old John had difficulty with

personal hygiene. John’s mother wanted him to be more independent and responsible for

completing his daily hygiene tasks. His parents voiced their concerns with the Autism

Specialist and decided to create a personal hygiene-based goal for the teenager to

achieve. From the in-home parent-training program, the parents learned new ways to help

John achieve his goal.

 

The autism specialist created “John’s Morning Routine Checklist”

with visuals in hopes that John would independently complete his daily hygiene tasks

(brushing teeth, brushing hair, putting on clean clothes, washing face). The provider and

parents used their knowledge from the autism-specific workshops to implement positive

reinforcement to motivate John to complete his list. John mentioned his favorite thing to

do is visit his grandparents, so the parents strategized and set up a positive reinforcement

system so when John completes his checklist for five consecutive days then he will be

rewarded with a trip to his grandparents house. With the help of the checklist and

prompting, John is becoming more independent and he is getting closer and closer to

achieving his goal.

 

Our Autism Specialist has met with Gary a few times now and working with him has

been very fun and pleasant. Gary has done a great job of concentrating on what he is

doing, even if it is something that is a little more difficult for him. Gary does a great job

of letting others know his wants. He has done a great job in letting his Autism Specialist

know what he would like to do during his free choice time. Gary has seemed to warm up

to the Autism Specialist nicely and quickly.