Evaluation and Needs of Carrie, a 6-year-old Child

by | Jan 15, 2024 | human resource management

Carrie, a 6-year-old child, is brought into a child guidance clinic by her foster mother. The child was removed from her birth mother about a year ago and the mother has since left the area, necessitating that the court seek to terminate her rights. Little is known about the child’s life with her mother. Carrie has now been released for adoption by the court and it is your job to evaluate her and figure out what services she might need. The child is quiet and shows little interest in the toys around the office. She does not make eye contact and, despite having been with the foster mother for almost 6 months, shows little connection to her. You try to engage Carrie through puppets, but she is only mildly interested. You ask her to draw a picture, which ends up all in black—a house with no windows. You praise her for drawing as you asked, and the child hurriedly rips up the paper and throws it on the floor.
In a separate interview with the foster mother, you ask her to describe Carrie and her behaviors at home.
She describes a quiet, listless, and somewhat withdrawn child who does not appear to make friends readily. Carrie has few interests and prefers to be alone in her room. She does poorly in school and the teachers say that she has little desire to learn. She rarely cries even when hurt.
o As you think about Carrie and what she must have experienced with her mother, what are your observations?
o What do you think her experience with early mothering was like?
o What type of attachment style does she demonstrate?
o What do you think Carrie would need in an adoptive placement?

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

Evaluation and Needs of Carrie, a 6-year-old Child

Carrie, a 6-year-old child who has been removed from her birth mother and is currently in foster care, presents with concerning behaviors and difficulties in forming connections. As an evaluator at a child guidance clinic, it is crucial to understand Carrie’s experiences with her mother, her attachment style, and identify the services she might require in an adoptive placement.

Observations and Experiences with Early Mothering

Based on Carrie’s behavior and interactions with the toys in the office, her lack of eye contact, and minimal engagement in play activities, it can be observed that she displays signs of detachment and disinterest in her surroundings. This behavior may suggest a lack of emotional connection or bonding with her birth mother.

Additionally, Carrie’s drawing of a black house with no windows and her subsequent reaction of tearing up the paper may indicate feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or a lack of safety. Her reluctance to engage in play and her overall withdrawn demeanor further suggest that her experiences with her mother were likely characterized by neglect, limited emotional support, and a lack of nurturing.

Attachment Style

Carrie’s behavior and the information provided by her foster mother indicate that she demonstrates characteristics of an avoidant attachment style. This attachment style is often developed by children who have experienced inconsistent or neglectful caregiving. The child learns to suppress their emotional needs and withdraw from seeking comfort or connection from others due to a perceived lack of responsiveness.

Carrie’s disinterest in toys, minimal connection to her foster mother despite being together for several months, and preference for solitude align with the avoidant attachment style. This style may have developed as a coping mechanism in response to her early experiences with her birth mother.

Needs in an Adoptive Placement

Considering Carrie’s experiences and attachment style, it is essential to identify the needs she might have in an adoptive placement. These needs should address the challenges she faces in forming connections, expressing emotions, and developing a sense of security. Some potential needs for Carrie could include:

Therapeutic Support: Carrie would benefit from ongoing therapeutic support to address her emotional and behavioral challenges. This may involve individual therapy sessions to help her process her past experiences, develop coping skills, and build healthy relationships.

Attachment-Focused Parenting: An adoptive placement that emphasizes attachment-focused parenting would be crucial for Carrie’s development. This approach involves creating a nurturing and responsive environment where caregivers actively work to build trust, promote emotional connection, and meet the child’s needs.

Educational Support: Given Carrie’s difficulties in school and limited desire to learn, she would likely benefit from additional educational support. This may involve individualized learning plans, specialized instruction, or access to educational resources that cater to her specific needs.

Socialization Opportunities: Encouraging socialization opportunities with peers would be important for Carrie’s social development. Enrolling her in social activities, playgroups, or therapeutic group sessions can help her build social skills, develop friendships, and enhance her overall well-being.

Stability and Consistency: Creating a stable and consistent environment for Carrie is crucial for promoting her sense of safety and security. An adoptive placement that provides a predictable routine, consistent caregivers, and a nurturing home environment can help address her attachment difficulties.

In summary, Carrie’s experiences with her birth mother have likely been marked by neglect, limited emotional support, and a lack of nurturing. Her avoidance attachment style suggests a defense mechanism developed in response to inconsistent caregiving. To support Carrie’s development in an adoptive placement, it is important to provide therapeutic support, attachment-focused parenting, educational assistance, socialization opportunities, and a stable environment that promotes her emotional well-being and fosters healthy relationships.

 

 

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