Question

Sonia is 9 years old, and she reports feeling lonely all the time. She seems to be isolated from her peers and reports feeling different from everyone around her. She says that she does not like the feeling of being vulnerable and has a hard time opening up to others. She reports hating school and only wants to stay at home with her mother. She cries every morning when her mother gets her ready for school. She will also cry each time the teacher indicates that the next upcoming subject is math. Sonia's parents are concerned for their daughter and are unable to ask for assistance because of a language barrier.

Identify the challenges that the student, family, or individual client may be experiencing, based on your specialization.

Identify any psychosocial conflicts that may be present and the transitions related to middle childhood that may be considered.

Choose one theory of personality development and explain how that theory helps you understand this student's behavior.

Describe specific ways of helping the student, family, or individual client from your professional perspective.

Answer 1

Sonia may be suffering from one of childhood anxiety disorders which may include seperation anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder. More information is needed to decide which one. From the given information it is possible that language barrier may also be contributing to her anxiety.

Ans 1. As mentioned above the child may be suffering from an anxiety disorder or adjustment issues in relation to language barrier. She probably feels difficult in expressing her views with other freinds and others may also be bullying her or teasing her cause of the difference which may cause her to avoid or refuse school. Parents may be understanding the situation but because of the language barrier not able to take her to a therapist

Ans2 psychosocial conflicts may include bullying and discrimination in school. During middle childhood a child likes to have his or her own set of freinds and peer group . If they dont get accepted by peer group it may cause anxiety or depression in a child which may present with school refusal.

Ans3 eric eriksons theory of personality helps us understand child better. Currently the child is in foruth stage i.e Industry Vs Inferiority (age 5-12). The child is anxious because she feels less competent and inferior to others.

Ans 4 the child can be helped by teaching her relaxation exercises like JPMR or breathing exercises. She can be gradually exposed o school situations which are causing anxiety and her good behaviours can be reinforced by rewarding her appropriately.