Vol. 1, No. 2 • Summer 1997

What Would You Do?: The Case of Eric and Danny
by Joanne Caye and John McMahon

In this column in the last issue, we asked for your help. We presented you with case examples involving two foster children, Danny and Eric, and asked you what you would do if you were faced with a similar situation. To the readers who responded, "Thank you!" We have taken many of your suggestions and integrated them into our suggestions for handling these two challenging cases. We've also included another scenario (See "What Would You Do?: The Case of Tasha") for you to read over and we hope you'll write to share your expertise with us.

Eric: Summary and Response

Eric is a 14-year-old who is having difficulty with mood swings and transitions at school. Brenda, his foster mother, has made a serious effort to work with the school regarding Eric's behavior. However, the school says they can't offer Eric the supervision and guidance he needs, and has asked Brenda to sign a release giving them permission to send him home at 11 a.m. each day. How might you handle this?

Those who responded to this scenario felt Brenda should refuse to sign the school's waiver. Teresa Byrum, a former public school teacher, questioned the school's unwillingness to give Eric extra time to complete computer work. She adds, "I have even known in some special circumstances a teaching assistant to be hired to care specifically for one child in a classroom situation."

Kim Humphrey, from Forsyth County, North Carolina, was even more emphatic. She says that "the law states that all children are entitled to a free and public education. Eric has had some very significant situational losses that may be temporarily emotionally handicapping him....The school cannot 'refuse' to develop the supervision and guidance that Eric needs....If Brenda chooses the option of the 11:00 pickup, then she should insist on homebound educational services."

We also heard about he Exceptional Children's Assistance Center, which specializes in helping parents advocate for the educational rights of disabled children. Located in Davidson County, North Carolina, this advocacy organization helps parents understand their rights. They have a free handbook for parents about children's education rights. For more information, call 1-800-962-6817.

Danny: Summary and Response

Danny is a 10-year-old who wears leg braces and uses crutches. He has difficulty getting along with other children at school. He is becoming increasingly upset when his foster family won't let him do things such as ride on the back of other kids' bicycles and play volleyball.. What would you say to his requests?

Linda Waller, from Winston-Salem, feels Danny's difficulties with his classmates stem partly from the fact that he compares himself to them and other non-disabled people when it comes to physical activity. She suggests that "if his role models were guys in wheelchairs who play basketball, then he would feel more accepted, like this is his world. Let him compete in that world...Make his role models somebody he can relate to." If Danny were her foster child, she says, she would seek out a place where he could engage in physical play with other children with disabilities. She also encourages parents not to be too protective, saying, "We don't know what a child can do until we let him to it."

After talking with parent of children with special needs and an orthopedic physician, we came up with a few other points to consider regarding Danny. Several people felt the first question should be, "Would my response be different if Danny were not disabled?" If you would NEVER let a child ride on the back of a bike, no matter what then that is your answer. If that's not the case, then there are other considerations.

Joanne Caye is a Clinical Instructor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work.

Copyright � 2000 Jordan Institute for Families