Week 6

5 years have passed and Hunter is now 13 years old.  Hunter continues to have difficulties communicating and expressing his emotions.  Jake is rarely home except to eat and sleep and always keeps to himself. Hunter knows that he is not the same as the other kids at school and seems to resent having to go to a special period every day.  Middle school has been rough experience for Hunter and makes getting him up in the morning a nightmare for Rick and Sandy.  His medication seems to take the edge off his tantrums, but his parents are starting to get worried.  A few days ago, one of Hunter’s outbursts spun out of control and resulted in him throwing a mug across the room and smashing a cherished family heirloom.   

* Describe typical developmental milestones for a 13 year old. As best you can given the information you have, evaluate the extent to which Hunter's development so far has deviated from those milestones throughout his lifespan. 

* What can Rick and Sandy do regarding Hunter’s aggression?

* Should Hunter’s parents take him back the psychiatrist for more medication?

* What kind of transition planning is likely to be in place for Hunter? Indicate 3 specific transition goals that one might find in Hunter's current IEP. 

Week 5

Hunter is now 9 years of age. His parents, with the assistance of a local child psychiatrist, placed him on medications two years ago.

* What medications was Hunter likely prescribed given his diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder? Have the medications you indicate been approved for use in children by the FDA?

* Write a narrative “interview” in which you communicate with Hunter in an effort to get to know him.

* Write a narrative “interview” in which you talk with Hunter’s parents about him.

* Who is Hunter? What kind of child is he? What might someone expect upon meeting Hunter for the first time? Base Hunter’s imagined personality on what you know about he and his family so far.

Week 4

Hunter Arias – Week Four

Sandy and Rick are exhausted. At 5, Hunter has continued to be a handful. He is now in Kindergarten at the local public school, and the start of the year has already been filled with challenge. Hunter just isn’t like other kids – no one quite knows how to handle him. Sometimes, he seems to look askance when asked a question; he seems to have trouble making eye contact. At other times, he is completely engaged in an activity and can interact somewhat, if only through the activity. Through it all, Hunter’s presentation is consistent for a child with Autism, the condition with which Hunter was diagnosed at age 4. That’s about when Sandy and Rick could find the money to get him all of the tests he needed. At least they know, but it’s been hard.  

Rick continues to be on disability for the injury he sustained on a construction site where he was working at the time. Sandy’s job as an administrative assistant for a local advertising company is stable, but she has few benefits.  Jake acted up so much in school that the team suggested in-home counseling for the family. Rick and Sandy said no. They also suggested that Hunter go to a counselor in the community for help with his tantrums.

The strain of all of the behavior of the kids is starting to take its toll on Sandy and Rick. They are less able to tolerate one another’s moods, and there is much more tension in the home than there used to be.  

* What are typical developmental milestones for a 5 year-old (cognitive, affective, gross & fine motor)?

* What services are available for a child with Autism in Virginia? Assume that the Arias family lives in Harrisonburg. What is an ED/CD waiver (this is through Medicaid; you may contact VAIL [Valley Associates for Independent Living] to find out more.) What is a DD waiver? Assume Sandy and Rick make $42,000 per year. Is Hunter eligible for Medicaid?

* Since Rick and Sandy adopted, do they receive a monetary amount each month? If so, from where does the money come?

* Describe the process of Special Education that took place when Hunter was 4. Assuming that Hunter has minimal verbal communication, what are some goals you would have in his IEP for Kindergarten? What placement would you recommend for him (self-contained, mainstream with resource, etc.)?

* What is in-home counseling? Who provides it in the area?