Special population essay
Johnny is a six-year-old boy whose mother has just died to cancer. He lives with his paternal grandmother and father. He is an only child and is starting to act out at school. His grades on his last report card have decreased as well. He has become more withdrawn at school and in his neighborhood. His father works two jobs to pay for the medical bills and funeral arrangements, and Johnny’s grandmother is in failing health as well.
This situation of Johhny can be characterized as rather difficult, because death of mother, difficulties of father and bad health of grandmother are very stressful for the boy. In the presence of such difficult experiences for a child it can be said about chronic psychotraumatic situation as a source of constant mental stress. The psychological trauma of the child and his emotional turmoil are caused by life situation, because the child can not cope with it. Mother’s death was a great shock for Johhny, and he is in need of family support. But we see that Dad can not help the boy, as he is working two jobs and busy with the funeral, and grandmother is also in failing health. That means that the boy was left alone with his feelings and experiences. In such a situation it is quite clear that Johnny becomes closed and withdrawn, because he is frightened, confused, feels lonely and helpless. (Winnicott 1992)
Researchers of child development suggest that a child becomes closed as a result of disappointments in the world and people. Thus, such child has a sense of helplessness, which arises almost automatically in response to any contact, and since this is a very uncomfortable feeling, the child will reduce these contacts to a minimum. In addition, in most cases negative feelings and emotions (especially feelings of helplessness) are not recognized by the child, so direct and frequent questions: “Are you afraid?”, “What are you afraid?”, “Why are you embarrassed?” do not help to establish contact with the child.
If the child has become withdrawn, the first thing he needs is to restore confidence to the people and life around. Often parents may well cope with this task independently, as family for the child is the first and most important socio-pedagogical institute. The family determines social situation of development and formation of the child. The family provides the system of close relationship with adults, especially communication methods and forms of joint actions, family values and principles. If a boy is deprived of the attention of the family, it is the main cause of his psychological discomfort, and further development of psychological problems. In this situation it is necessary to turn for specialists for help, since psychologists can help the family to cope with the situation and prevent development of serious psychological problems in the child. (Winnicott 1992)
In such cases is widely used individual counseling, which includes several stages. At each stage are used different tasks and appropriate techniques. The task of the first phase is to create trusting relationship with Johhny and parents, especially if somebody denies the possibility and necessity of cooperation. It is advised to use such a form of individual counseling as conversation. (Erford 2010)
During a brief initial conversation it is not allowed to use direct or indirect criticism of parents, concerns about their teaching competence. This is appropriate only in the form of tactful conversation, after analyzing all the information about the child, including the results of his interview. At the first meetings any disapproval of the actions of parents can provoke their strong protective response and prevent the path for a discussion of all problems existing in the family.
The second stage of counseling is carried out on the basis of a comprehensive examination of the child. It includes several goals:
– detailed analysis of the general state of mental development and personality of the child, as well as the nature, extent and causes of the difficulties which he has,
– parents’ attention must be focused on their ability to help the child;
– explain specific actions to help Johhny, the need for parental involvement in the general system of psychological and educational support;
– discuss the problems with parents (Dad and grandmother of Johhny), find out their attitude to the difficulties and problems of the child in behavior, communication. (Erford 2010)
In addition, it is necessary to prepare parents for the consultations by specialists and / or the subsequent work with the child.
In the third stage is carried out remedial work, changing tasks of counseling, which involves the formation in parents special competence to help the child. This new competence must include new psychological and pedagogical knowledge, and understanding. The most effective forms of work at this stage are:
– joint discussion with parents of progress and results of remedial work;
– analysis of the problems and joint elaboration of recommendations for overcoming the negative tendencies in the behavior of the child;
– to explain parents how to most effectively and correctly to talk and interact with the child if he has communication problems, how to establish contact and understanding with the child.
