One child’s story
Four year-old Oscar came to Early Childhood Mental Health Program when a local child care center decided it could no longer handle his violent tantrums. The son of a homeless mother and a father in prison, he had spent part of his early years on the street before being taken in by his aunt Louise. She did her best to provide a loving household for Oscar and for the young child of another relative, but she had a chronic illness that made it hard for her to provide the attention and special care Oscar needed. Her household was disorganized and the children were often on their own. In child care, Oscar's behavior reflected his feelings of neglect and despair. He was often violent, injuring one teacher so badly that the she had to be taken to the emergency room. Other parents said they were concerned for their own children.
At Early Childhood's Comprehensive Therapeutic Nursery, therapists recognized Oscar’s intelligence even though his speech was delayed and his compulsive behavior made him difficult to handle. At snack time, he wrestled food away from other children and hoarded it in his clothing. By patiently showing him that there was enough food to go around, therapists began to help him see his world as a less chaotic and more stable place. Within weeks, he was eating in a more relaxed and cheerful way. Over the next few months, there was more progress. He began to express himself with words instead of his fists and even began to make friends with other children.
But Oscar's improvement, though it was gratifying, could not last if his home could not be made a safe, nurturing place. His aunt Louise was a loving person, but she was overwhelmed and was constantly afraid that Child Protective Services would take the children away. Oscar's therapist knew that it was most important to help Louise solve the problems that made it difficult for her to manage all of her responsibilities and cope with her illness too. She also needed to learn some skills in managing her family so that Child Protective Services could see that she could keep the children safe. It took many months of patient work to help Louise deal with her problems as well as to help her learn how to keep Oscar calm and focused so that he wouldn't lose the gains he was making in the Therapeutic Nursery.
By the end of the year, the family's home life was less chaotic. Oscar was attending the Therapeutic Nursery regularly and was no longer a threat to the other children. Now that Oscar is nearly old enough to go to first grade, a school psychologist who has observed him at the Therapeutic Nursery has determined that he will be able to attend public school, though he will need to be placed in small classes where he can receive more individual attention. To Louise's relief, Child Protective Services has determined that she is now a fit caretaker for the children and her household can stay together. When he reaches public school, Oscar will be "followed" for a year or two by a therapist from the Therapeutic Nursery who will observe him in his new classroom and consult with his teacher. She will also visit Louise at home, at her request, during this transitional period. Oscar will heal only slowly from the scars of an early childhood marked by turmoil and violence, but the future looks brighter for him and for his whole family.