Case study comparison of student assessment and intervention profiles

Economics

Compare the cases of Jennifer and Tyron, in terms of (a) the identification of their problems

Jennifer was born pre-term and needed respiratory care and prolonged hospital stay in order to survive. Receiving that, she seemed fine. The family was referred to an early intervention program, Jennifer was regularly checked, and home visits were set up via the visiting nurse's agency.

Tyron was born on-term but showed developmental delays that only the mother noticed and became uneasy about when Tyron was 10 months old. These included inability to recognize mother, disinclination to smile or play with his parents, inclination towards solitude, and tantrums. Tyron was diagnosed with developmental delays.

(b) Features of the assessment process carried out

Jennifer's respiratory system was immature; she needed oxygen support. She was detained in the hospital where she was under constant monitoring and the family were referred to an early intervention program which would continue to monitor Jennifer's development and help the parents with her needs (would there be any). Home visits, too, were arranged through the visiting nurse's agency.

Tyron's assessment was different. Not preventative, it was done post-facto with Tyron's mother voicing her concerns to her pediatrician when Tyron was ten months old. Dr. Nolan conducted tests which showed the need for further multi-disciplinary screening. An individual family service plan was developed, and it was arranged that Tyron would receive further screening once he reached two years of age.

(c) Their respective assessment profiles

Jennifer's condition seemed to be stabilized once she had completed her intensive post-natal care. Her parents were taught how to care for her and her early development was monitored.

Tyron was diagnosed as having certain developmental delays. These would be dealt with by Tyron's individualized family service plan. The child would be regularly monitored and tested for assessment of progress.

(d) The early intervention processes illustrated in each of these cases

Jennifer's was an early-child prevention program that was conducted shortly after birth and in her formative months. Tyron's schedule occurred after only 10 months and would continue as long as needed - perhaps throughout his life.

Both case studies -- the one preventative and following birth, the other prescriptive and following diagnosis of problem - indicate the importance and existence of support structures that help the child thrive.

(e) The plans that were developed and/or that you would develop for each of them