Christopher
Age: 11
Christopher, who is called Chris, is an active, sports and outdoors kind of boy. He'll sit down for a minute of conversation, but likes running around the basketball court at the group home where he lives, instead of sitting down to do a short interview. Even when he can talk about his favorite sports, Chris is anxious to be on the go. He has friends in gym class, and gets along with kids his own age on the playground.
When Chris does play along with some casual conversation, it is often a quick list of things he likes. He names every ball game category like baseball, basketball, football, softball- all on his list of likes. Football and basketball are his very favorites. In basketball he likes to guard, and in football to play quarterback. Chris is very fast on his feet. He likes to watch the Cleveland Browns and the Green Bay Packers. He has long, long lists of favorite sports personalities, and rattles them off easily. That even makes him smile.
So far school work hasn't sparked his interest as much as sports. He likes classroom math somewhat, but sometimes not. He is working on it, getting better with numbers, little by little. Concentration can be a real challenge, many days. When he gets help from a teacher or an aide one-on-one, it can make a positive difference. He works at his own pace. Maybe keeping simple scores would be a good math exercise, and not too frustrating for Chris. An adoptive family who cares about him, his schoolwork and his sports might help keep him on track. He requires unconditional love and skillful guidance at home, on the ball fields, and with his everyday experiences.
Chris has had a pretty rocky start to his young life, and the backing of a good hearted, patient family would help smooth out his path. He says that listening to his adoptive family is going to be one of his new specialties. Hopefully, they will be understanding and supportive if he slips up, forgets, or tries out some new kind of "test." Chris seems to do best on a pretty definite schedule. Then he will know what to expect, hour by hour, from teachers or family. Then he will know what is expected back from him. Chris admires people who have a clear sense of right and wrong, and he hopes to "be a cop" when he grows up. He'll need to study more, and pay close attention in the classroom to do that, but family support will give him the best possible backup.
In addition to field and court sports, Chris likes to swim at the Y. Someday he would like to ride a horse for the first time, and wonders what it might be like, living in or visiting in the country. He likes lots of pets, except not snakes. He lists favorites: dogs, cats, fish, and birds, especially talking ones. Thinking of birds, he demonstrates a very nice whistle. He likes the sound of it, and carefully whistles a few more times. Chris also loves little lizards, especially chameleons that change color. His moods can be sometimes surprising like that, changing in a flash, but the staffers at the group home say that predicable schedule does really help.
Chris likes art and drawing, expressing himself through artwork. He likes music, especially the rhythms of rap. He doesn't mind doing a few family chores, helping clean up. He'd do chores to get an actual allowance, so he could buy himself a book, superhero action figure, or sports equipment.
Chris likes to go to the library and get chapter books like Star Wars, but reading can be a challenge. He's in his fifth year in school, but he's just starting to get comfortable with very basic reading and writing skills. At his special education classes, it is helpful to learn at his own pace, in his own way, with lots of hands-on activities. Chris needs a flexible and active family of his own, balanced with structure, including clear limits. Then he can relax and grow up, discovering his talents along the way. Will home life, as part of your nice happy family, have Chris whistling a lot more often?
