Case Presentation

Morgan Atkinson
March 14, 2017
Background Information

The client is a 12 year old American Indian female who has been in the Department of
Social Services custody since April 1, 2014. She has been in care for a total of 30
months. The client has been placed in 8 different placements and this is due to her
behavioral issues. She was taken due to her mothers neglect based on her substance
use and mental health issues. The mother has two other children that have been taken
into custody in the past and are now adopted.
Clients Strengths and Interests

The client can be very respectful to adults and others at times. She enjoys shopping,
riding her bike, singing, and listening to music. She explained that she enjoys staying
at the group home because of all the activities. She also talked about how she is given
allowance when she has completed chores. She also enjoys her monthly visit with her
mother. She wishes to go back to stay with her mother but understands that her
mother is not able to take care of her.
Biases

Before interviewing with the client I thought it would be hard I didnt think we would be
able to connect because of our age differences. I thought it would be hard for her to
express herself and let me know how she really felt.
Clients Diagnoses and Research

Clients Diagnoses Research

The client has been diagnose with ADHD and Adjustment disorder.
A. D. H. D is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder this is a diagnoses that makes
one hyperactive and sometimes unable to
control their impulses, and sometimes
having a difficult time paying attention. All
these behaviors can cause problems in
school. For some clients medication is
prescribed.
Adjustment Disorder is stress and feeling
of sadness or hopeless due to going
through a stressful life event.
Clients Goals

Goal 1: She will learn to open up and discuss feelings and what is bothering her.
Strategies for Goal 1:
1. Client will work through difficult emotions by talking about them with staff.
2. Client will use alternative methods of feelings expression such as; talking writing, and drawing to cope with difficult
feelings and emotions.
Time limit for Goal 1: 3 months

Goal 2: Client will learn to be more respectful to adults and get along better with peers.
Strategies for Goal 2:
1. Client will refrain from using disrespectful language, talking back, and exhibiting a disrespectful attitude toward adults.
2. Client will communicate with her peers without being mean, rude, or inappropriate.
Time limit for Goal 2: 3 months
Staff Recommendations

The staff recommends that the client keeps reaching to successfully complete her
goals. Also continue to attend counseling sessions weekly. Also her permanency plan
is guardianship with a court approve care taker with a concurrent plan of custody with
court approve care-taker.
Agency Changes

I recommend that the agency provides a time frame that is given for parents to be
compliant with goals and orders. After this time frame is up I think the agency should
get custody. This will stop cases from being prolonged and could push parents to work
harder at successfully completing goals in a timely manner