Reference no: EM133963151

Case: Kavon is a 21/2-year-old boy whose mother is concerned about his speech, language, and behavior. She indicated that Kavon uses two syllable words, but frequently cuts off the beginning and ending of words; thus he is very difficult to understand. Kavon's mother also said that her 4-year-old child had speech and language difficulties. Her 4-year-old received intervention services, which were helpful.

Also, Kavon's mother reports that Kavon will have "screaming fits" or tantrums mostly at home that will last for 20 to 30 minutes. She is very concerned about this and doesn't know what to do. Kavon is one of many siblings. His mother is single and has recently put her children in child care so that she can pursue work and school. She indicated that if Kavon is eligible for early intervention services these services would need to be provided for him at his child care setting. Kavon was born early at 34 weeks gestation. He did not receive any type of developmental follow-up. He had some difficulty with breast feeding and was put on the bottle, which he continues to seek out. He has a younger sibling so it is difficult to prevent him from getting a bottle. His mother indicated that she tries to fill the bottle with water.

Kavon had obvious dental problems at the time he was evaluated. His mother reported that he has had many ear infections, but he has not seen an ear, nose and throat specialist. Kavon also has a history of asthma and allergies, but again has not seen any specialists about either of these conditions. His mother accompanied Kavon to the evaluation. He was a friendly and engaging little boy who had much energy. For the most part he complied with formal testing, especially when instructions were given with visual cues. He was patient and persistent with the tasks. Toward the end of the testing, however, Kavon had a harder time attending to the tasks and following directions. He became active by running and jumping around the room. When redirected and given several breaks he was able to complete the formal testing. His mother indicated that his behavior during the evaluation was fairly typical of how he is at home. Get reliable and affordable assignment help today! 

The mental and motor scales from the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II were given to Kavon. The Receptive and Expressive Emergent Language Scale (REEL) was administered as well. His adaptive and social emotional abilities were also determined by use of the Vineland Adaptive Scale. The results of the evaluation follow. Cognitive Development: Kavon achieved a developmental index of 81 with a developmental age of 26 months on the mental portion of the Bayley. Tasks that involved thinking and problem solving with his eyes and hands were a strength. He struggled more with the language items on the cognitive test. He was often echolalic. He had difficulty with many abstract concepts including spatial concepts, quantitative concepts, and descriptors.

Communication Development: Kavon achieved a receptive language level of 20-22 months on the REEL. He also achieved an expressive level of 20-22 months. Based on informal assessment of his speech, Kavon's articulation was felt to be similar to his language abilities. His relative language strengths included his abilities to imitate environmental sounds, use two word combinations, and use some personal pronouns. His difficulties included expanding his understanding of the meaning of longer verbal information, pointing to smaller body parts, and understanding questions related to the functional use of objects such as "What do you eat with?". He also needs to learn to ask for help verbally for some of his personal needs.

Motor Development: Kavon achieved a developmental index of 86 with a developmental age of 27 months on the motor portion of the Bayley. His gross motor skills are a strength. Kavon was age appropriate in 6 Early Intervention Personnel Preparation Training Activities

Case Studies running, jumping and negotiating the stairs. He did not do as well with fine motor skills such as grasping small objects and manipulating a pencil. Kavon tended to grasp the pencil in his palm and he was not able to imitate or copy simple lines or circles. Adaptive Development: Kavon achieved a standard score of 81 for an age equivalent of 2 years, 2 months on the Vineland Adaptive Scales. Kavon can feed himself, but at 21/2 he is

Discussion Questions-Kavon still using the bottle and a sippy cup. He is also struggling with toilet training, as he has expressed little interest in using the toilet. This has become an issue at his child care setting.

Social-Emotional Development: Kavon achieved a standard score of 100 for an age equivalent of 2 years, 6 months on the Vineland Adaptive Scales. Kavon is described as friendly and outgoing and plays well with other children.

Question 1. How could you summarize the evaluation findings in reader or family-friendly terms?

Question 2. What percent delay, if any, is Kavon demonstrating in the various areas of development for which he was assessed?

Question 3. In your opinion should Kavon be found eligible for early intervention services? On what bases are you making your judgment?

Question 4. What services, if any, do you think would benefit Kavon and why?

Question 5. How could Kavon's services be delivered?

Question 6. What other recommendations do you have for Kavon and his family?