Week 6

Vasha is now a 15 year-old girl who has found a way to "fit in" with a small group of friends. The four of them have much in common - Vasha is Hindu, Tamil is from Afghanistan, Jake claims to be a practitioner of Wicca (which he refers to as 'Wicker' thinking that it's the correct term for the religion), and Spence just got out of a residential treatment center for kids with emotional problems. An unlikely group, to be sure, but one with whom Vasha has found something of a second home. Of course, there is nowhere Vasha would rather be than at her real home, but these friends she's made are a wonderful substitute when she's not at home.

Vasha is still close to her mother, and the family has been through alot since Arup died. Most of the siblings are off living their lives, but they come back quite a bit to visit. 

One day, Vasha and her friends are talking at lunch. Somehow, the conversation rolls around to ADHD, Spence's stay at the facility and the kinds of medications he had while he was there. It comes up that Vasha is on a medication for her ADHD. Spence wants to know if she's ever tried snorting it, and she is horrified - "of course not" she says. Spence, however, having been around lots of kids with lots of problems, has a way of being convincing and sly when he wants to be. He manages to turn Vasha's initial reluctance into a promise for her to bring some of her meds to school with her tomorrow. Spence is going to show everybody how to "get high" on Adderall.

The next day comes, and Vasha brings her meds with her, unaware of the potential ramifications of such an act. The four go outside after lunch, and Spence starts to tell them how it's done...

It is about at that moment that the Assistant Principal walks around the corner, catching all of them in the act of snorting a controlled substance on school property.

* Describe typical developmental milestones for a 15 year-old girl.

* What are the intrapersonal dynamics that might lead an otherwise kindly 15 year-old girl to experiment in such a way? How about the interpersonal dynamics?

* What do you suspect will be the reaction of Vasha's mother to the news? Write a developmentally and culturally appropriate narrative of the dialogue that Vasha and her mother have regarding this event. 

DECISION POINT:

Does Vasha get kicked out of school? If so, for how long? If not, what are her consequences?

Week 5

Vasha is now 9 years of age. Her mother, with the assistance of a local child psychiatrist, placed her on medications two years ago. 

* What medications was Vasha likely prescribed given her diagnosis of ADHD? Have the medications you indicate been approved by the FDA for use in children?

* Write a narrative “interview” in which you communicate with Vasha in an effort to get to know her.

* Write a narrative “interview” in which you talk with Vasha’s mother about her.

* Who is Vasha? What kind of child is she? What might someone expect upon meeting her for the first time? Base Vasha’s imagined personality on what you know about she and her family so far.

Week 4

Vasha Singh – Week Four

Vasha is now 7 years of age and in the second grade. Shura has been able to make ends meet thanks to a large life insurance policy that Arup had. In addition, Shura’s family has provided financial assistance when she has needed it. She is feeling better and is able to support all of her children both in the home and as they keep going to college – there are now two children in college, and another will go this year. Education has always been hugely important for the Singh family, and Arup made sure that if anything ever happened to him, money would not be a barrier for the family’s educational aspirations.

In school, Vasha has been having a better year since she was identified as a student with a slight learning disability. She also has an “Other Health Impairment” in that her pediatrician diagnosed her with Attention-Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder.

An added complication is that Vasha is the only Hindu student in her school, and other kids sometimes laugh at her, calling her names. They have seen her mother come to pick her up wearing traditional Indian dress, and they don’t understand. What’s more, many of the children come from families whose experiences with those who are different from the perceived “norm” is limited.

* Describe the developmental milestones for a typically developing 7 year old.

* What is the prevalence of ADHD in the population of Indian –Americans? Is it more or less prevalent than in the general population? Why do you think this is?

* What kinds of things can the school do to address bullying and diversity?

* Assuming that Vasha has an IEP for a reading disorder, what has already taken place with regard to interventions prior to the Special Education process? (Hint: Find RTI strategies for reading). What are some goals that you might find on Vasha’s IEP given the interaction of LD and ADHD?