Success Stories
By the young age of ten, "Felicia" had seen more adversity than most adults. She was born to young, unwed parents who both dropped out of school to care for her. Very early in her life, both of her parents were diagnosed with AIDS and by the time she was nine, she had watched both her parents pass away. Felicia then went to live as a foster child with her maternal aunt and uncle.
Felicia was referred by her teacher due to her dramatic mood swings, intense physical aggression, and her habit of running away from school. Her aunt and uncle didn't know what else to do with her and didn't know what was wrong.
Felicia was assessed by the SVFC psychiatric team and diagnosed with ADHD,
depressive disorder, and bereavement. Although her behavior was serious,
it was determined that she could continue to live at home with extra support
services and continued placement in the SED program at school. The worker
in the CSS program provided services both at home and at school. The
treatment included instruction in anger management, coping strategies, peer
interaction and socialization skills for Felicia. In addition, she was linked
with Children's Hospital bereavement counseling through their hospice program
to help her deal with the many losses she had suffered in her young life.
The CSS worker also provided services to her aunt and uncle. Work with them
centered on adjusting to having an older child in their home, their own feelings
about the loss of Felicia's mother and father, and instruction in effective
behavior management and support techniques to use with Felicia.
After 20 months of treatment starting at three times per week, Felicia's behavior improved 100%. Her attention and attitude at school improved and she was mainstreamed into all but one regular class. She continues to live with her aunt and uncle who report she has calmed down at home, is attentive and responsive and no longer threatens to run away.
