You are a counselor in a child and adolescent center. Your boss asks you to see a mother with her 3-year-old son. The mother brings her son to your office, and they are hostile toward each other. She states that he is hyperactive and has ADHD. She is demanding medication for him so she can manage his behavior. You request a session with her son for play therapy. During the 30 minutes of play therapy, he behaves appropriately with the toys in the room with no signs or symptoms of hyperactivity. However, when returned to the room with the mother, he exhibits hyperactivity and argumentative behavior.
Given the aforementioned case, what is your common sense telling you in this situation? You do not need to know theory for this assignment.
Address the following:
- Identify differences and similarities you understand regarding the diagnosis of ADHD. Consider the possible medication, short-term benefits, and long-term side effects for a 3-year-old male.
- Discuss how you would use what you know about family relationships to build a bridge in your meetings with this particular family.
- How can you gain a better understanding of the family situation so you can assist in achieving a more harmonious relationship?