At age 48, Hunter Arias has had anything but a "normal" life. Now that he is out of prison, he doesn't know what to do with himself. It seems that around Hunter's 30th birthday, all of the medications he was taking stopped working - if only for what seemed like a few minutes - but it was enough time for him to fly into a rage and assault a grocery store clerk. The injuries were serious enough that the individual spent several weeks in intensive care, and Hunter was charged with a felony. In spite of his difficulties, he spent several years behind bars.
Life in prison was hell for Hunter. His parents came to visit him often, but that fact did little to challenge the agony of being locked up. Hunter couldn't stand it. He had several bouts of depression while in prison and attempted suicide twice.
Hunter was released to his parents, and they still care for him as they continue to grow older. It is becoming more and more difficult for them as they have developed health difficulties. Hunter spends most of his time alone in the house surfing the Internet and has developed a fondness for the Civil War.
* What percentage of people in prison also meet criteria for some kind of mental illness?
* What resources are there in Harrisonburg for individuals trying to transition from being incarcerated to living a "normal" life?
* What happens when someone is convicted of a felony once they are finished serving their time? Are they able to get a job anywhere?
* Describe the typical developmental milestones for middle adulthood.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Week 8
Hunter is now 25 years of age. He has had a number of short and long term hospitalizations owing to his complex set of behaviors. He has been relatively stable for a period of 2 years, and he is currently living with Rick and Sandy. They do all that they can to assist him, but they worry about who will care for him after they are gone. He just doesn't seem to be able to manage outside of either their care or a very structured facility.
Hunter is able to communicate his basic needs. He has a look in his eyes, however, that is just a bit strange - it's like he never quite looks at people, and he is quick to follow whatever small impulse might come into his mind at any given time. He is severely distractible and impulsive all of the time, and it can be exhausting just being around him. Hunter spends much of his time playing video games, a welcome activity when you ask Rick and Sandy. It seems to calm him, and it keeps him out of trouble.
* What is the time period for early adulthood? What are the physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional changes that typically take place during this period?
* Assuming that Hunter's parents did not have their own health insurance policy on which to place him after he turned 18, how would all of Hunter's hospitalizations be paid for? What kind of insurance is he likely to have as a 25 year-old autistic man? Does he receive any compensation for not being able to work owing to his disability? If so, who keeps track of his money for him?
* What are the prospects for Hunter in the longer term? What kinds of community resources exist in a) rural communities (take Southwest VA, for example), b) towns (perhaps Charlottesville and Harrisonburg as examples), and c) large cities (Richmond, Tidewater) for people like Hunter?
Hunter is able to communicate his basic needs. He has a look in his eyes, however, that is just a bit strange - it's like he never quite looks at people, and he is quick to follow whatever small impulse might come into his mind at any given time. He is severely distractible and impulsive all of the time, and it can be exhausting just being around him. Hunter spends much of his time playing video games, a welcome activity when you ask Rick and Sandy. It seems to calm him, and it keeps him out of trouble.
* What is the time period for early adulthood? What are the physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional changes that typically take place during this period?
* Assuming that Hunter's parents did not have their own health insurance policy on which to place him after he turned 18, how would all of Hunter's hospitalizations be paid for? What kind of insurance is he likely to have as a 25 year-old autistic man? Does he receive any compensation for not being able to work owing to his disability? If so, who keeps track of his money for him?
* What are the prospects for Hunter in the longer term? What kinds of community resources exist in a) rural communities (take Southwest VA, for example), b) towns (perhaps Charlottesville and Harrisonburg as examples), and c) large cities (Richmond, Tidewater) for people like Hunter?
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Week 7
Hunter's behavior has steadily declined, and Rick and Sandy continued to be at their wit's end regarding what to do. At age 16, Hunter is physically pretty large, and Sandy is scared of him. Rick is to the point that he can't control him physically any longer, and Hunter knows it. The psychiatrist has prescribed high doses of medication for Hunter, and those often have an effect, but it seems like there is something happening at home in particular that can set Hunter off like no other place can. The school is able to keep Hunter mostly out of trouble, but he is almost self-contained all day with a 1 to 1 aide.
It was the constant threat of violence that had Sandy and Rick looking for help anywhere they could get it. Finally, on the day that Hunter ran at Rick and pushed him through the sliding glass door, Sandy called the police. Rick and Hunter were a mess of glass and blood when the police arrived. Both were taken to the ER for lacerations, and, remarkably, neither suffered lasting injury. Hunter was taken to the one place in the state that dealt with acute care for children in psychiatric distress.
* In Virginia, where would a child like Hunter go for short-term psychiatric stabilization? What is the process for transitioning from that facility to a longer-term residential facility?
* What residential treatment options are available in Virginia for children like Hunter? Would Hunter meet admission criteria for these programs? Who would pay for a stay in a treatment center?
* What are the decision processes that might ensue regarding whether or not Hunter returns home after treatment? What should be considered when making such a decision?
* If Hunter does not return home, where would he go after he finishes treatment?
* If Hunter were 18 years of age and the above scenario occurred, where would he likely go? For how long?
DECISION POINT:
Does Hunter return home after his stay at the residential facility?
It was the constant threat of violence that had Sandy and Rick looking for help anywhere they could get it. Finally, on the day that Hunter ran at Rick and pushed him through the sliding glass door, Sandy called the police. Rick and Hunter were a mess of glass and blood when the police arrived. Both were taken to the ER for lacerations, and, remarkably, neither suffered lasting injury. Hunter was taken to the one place in the state that dealt with acute care for children in psychiatric distress.
* In Virginia, where would a child like Hunter go for short-term psychiatric stabilization? What is the process for transitioning from that facility to a longer-term residential facility?
* What residential treatment options are available in Virginia for children like Hunter? Would Hunter meet admission criteria for these programs? Who would pay for a stay in a treatment center?
* What are the decision processes that might ensue regarding whether or not Hunter returns home after treatment? What should be considered when making such a decision?
* If Hunter does not return home, where would he go after he finishes treatment?
* If Hunter were 18 years of age and the above scenario occurred, where would he likely go? For how long?
DECISION POINT:
Does Hunter return home after his stay at the residential facility?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)