The analysis of developmental history is a crucial step in human services to gather information for assisting clients with their health and psychological issues. In this paper, we will analyze the developmental history of Quaushia Bolden, a four-year-old child. Quaushia represents a combination of multiple clients that the author has interacted with.
Although the names used are not real, this narrative serves as a genuine illustration of the difficulties that can arise during a child’s physical and psychological growth. Demographic information is gathered to give providers details about a client’s age, address, and purpose for seeking services. Such data aids in identifying environmental elements that could impact a child’s development. Within this part of the developmental history form, it is revealed that Quaushia lives in a neighborhood within the city renowned for its increased volatility and violence when compared to other regions.
Living in areas where acts of violence are common, many young people experience a lack of safety and a sense of fear instead of community. Dr. Bruce Perry emphasizes that continuous fear and its effects on the brain can lead to changes in various aspects of a child’s functioning (Perry, 2001). As a result, Quaushia’s living situation may have influenced her display of physically aggressive behaviors, which is why services are being recommended for her.
Primary Caregiver/Parent Information: Parents have a vital role in a child’s overall development, including their physical and psychological well-being. The genetic traits passed down from parents not only affect the child’s physical attributes but also mold their temperament, which serves as the foundation for their personality growth. In Quaushia’s situation, her father is currently unemployed and not living with her mother, indicating potential financial difficulties for the family. Consequently, Quaushia’s father’s absence may have had a negative impact on her development.
Quaushia’s lack of motivation in education may stem from his incomplete high school education, potentially influenced by Miss Bolden’s unemployed mother. In the present economy, many families face poverty as they struggle to secure adequately compensated employment. As a result, children may experience hindered physical development due to their parents’ challenges in providing nutritious meals, proper healthcare, and essential necessities like running water and heating. Additionally, children from disadvantaged backgrounds often confront housing instability and frequent relocations.
Children’s living conditions can affect their education and achievements. When children are forced to move, they may face emotional, social, and cognitive delays due to overwhelming stress. According to Karen Pellino’s article on the influence of poverty on a child’s education journey, schools have different rules and norms compared to the familiar world of impoverished children. These social contexts significantly impact their development. Therefore, it is crucial to strike a balance that enables children to learn school values while still respecting their cultural background and everyday reality (Pellino, 2007).
Luckily, Quaushia is being taken care of by her grandmother as her primary caregiver. The developmental history does not explain why this arrangement was necessary, but it does mention that Quaushia’s grandmother has been stably employed for 15 years. The clinician also observes that both Quaushia’s mother and grandmother live together. This suggests that the family is supportive of one another, which is a positive influence on a child’s development. Quaushia’s grandmother may be able to offer the stability and consistency that her parents are unable to provide.
Family History
Quaushia comes from a family with three children, all aged four or younger. The siblings are all girls, with Quaushia being the oldest. It is believed that birth order can impact a child’s self-perception and first-borns tend to have higher achievements and attend college (Child Development Institute, 1998-2009).
The Child Development Institute states that it is typical for first-born children to seek dominance over other children, which may explain why Quaushia has been displaying physical aggression towards her peers. When it comes to child care, the developmental history form inquires about the child’s daily schedule if the primary caregiver works. In instances of poverty, children often have multiple caregivers or spend a majority of their day with non-family adults.
Having many developmental challenges, a child can experience instability and inconsistency. In the case of Quaushia, it is explained to the clinician that the mother has a problem with drugs and alcohol, which can have a tremendous impact on the child’s development. The clinician must be sensitive to the financial, emotional, and psychological factors that Quaushia’s mother may contribute to the surfaced problems. Even before birth, how parents care for their child in the womb can affect physical development.
The food, drugs, and emotional well-being of the mother can impact the baby’s initial health. Various factors on the Development History form suggest that Quaushia is at a greater risk for developmental issues. Quaushia’s mother endured physical abuse from her father while pregnant, which could result in brain or organ damage, or even death in severe cases. It is evident from the dynamics of their relationship that Quaushia’s mother did not seek medical help or report the abuse to the police.
Quaushia was born when her mother was 19 years old. Now, at the age of 23, she has three young children. During her pregnancy, Quaushia’s mother did not abstain from alcohol and cigarettes, which could have resulted in various health problems for Quaushia. One possible outcome of her mother’s failure to avoid alcohol and cigarettes during pregnancy is that Quaushia was born with a low weight. Furthermore, the consumption of alcohol while pregnant may be accountable for delays in Quaushia’s ability to walk, stand, and speak clearly.
The child’s medical history includes incidents of bedwetting, thumb sucking, and sleep problems. These issues may be linked to exposure to violence or abuse but do not have a significant impact on their growth. To gather information about the client’s life experiences, the clinician can utilize a Developmental History, taking into account various factors that can influence a child’s development.
It is crucial to comprehend the significance of different factors on a child’s life and future, such as abuse, nutrition, poverty, neglect, positive role models, and family connections. The objective of this paper is to offer a concise overview of Quaushia Bolden’s developmental history. By analyzing the data obtained from the developmental history form, we can gain understanding into why intervention has been required for this specific child. Professionals must understand how these various elements impact a child’s development in order to effectively aid them in their journey towards responsible adulthood while ensuring their overall well-being.
References: – Child Development Institute. (1998-2009). Birth Order. – Perry, B. D. (2001). The neurodevelopmental impact of violence in childhood. Chapter 18: In Textbook of Child and Adolescent Forensic Psychiatry, (Eds., D. Schetky and E. P. Benedek) American Psychiatric Press, Inc., Washington, D.C. – Pellino, K. (2007). The effects of poverty on teaching and learning.
