Brian Smith is a 4-year-old who resides with his mother, father, and younger brother Luke in a four-bedroom home in a comfortable suburban neighborhood.  Brian's father is a civil engineer and his mother is a dietitian. As a newborn, Brian was described as a “fussy” baby who did not enjoy being held by others, including his parents. As he grew, Brian’s parents coped by minimizing their interactions with him, often encouraging him to play by himself. Although he is able to talk, he prefers to express his needs by grunting and mumbling.  His pediatrician has recommended speech therapy to encourage him to use a greater vocabulary on a regular basis,  Brian’s parents are hesitant to “label him” as a “special needs child” at this young age and have declined any intervention at this time. Brian has had four different childcare providers since he was six months old. For the past year, he and Luke have spent weekdays with their childcare provider, Tracy, who cares for three additional children under age seven, two of whom frequently wrestle, throw food and hit each other during the day. Last year, Brian’s parents decided to enroll him in a pre-school program five days per week.  Brian attended exactly two weeks before his parents were contacted over concern that he was constantly hitting others and throwing toys.  Rather than work with the pre-school, Brian’s mother decided to return him to Tracy’s house, explaining that the pre-school did not understand the energy level of boys. Tracy describes Brian as exasperating but has been reluctant to discuss her concerns with the Smiths, for fear that they will remove Brian and Luke from her care, and she needs the money. In addition to his preschool classmates, Brian has been aggressive with his now 2-year-old brother Luke since Luke was an infant. For example, he has hit Luke, smashed toys over his head, and recently ran Luke over with his tricycle.  Brian’s father has become increasingly frustrated as he struggles to communicate with his son.  He responds to Brian by yelling and demanding that Brian speak clearly.  Interactions with his father often result in Brian screeching, biting his own arm, or throwing objects. Brian’s mother attributes much of Brian's behavior to being a “toddler boy.” She disciplines him by attempting to explain the reasons his behavior is “not nice.” Brian’s father has begun implementing time-outs as a means of discipline.  1)  Discuss how the key concepts in the chapter may be used to describe Brian and his family. 2) What additional information would be helpful to have about Brian? Focus and Organization (10 points): the topic clearly stated and the paper is organized with an introduction, discussion of the issues and a conclusion. Thorough discussion of the assigned readings (10): the paper discusses the assigned readings in relation to the topic. Correctness (10): there is correct usage of grammar, syntax, spelling, and correct usage of APA guidelines. .

1. Brian Smith is a 4-year-old who resides with his mother, father,
and younger brother Luke in a four-bedroom home in a
comfortable suburban neighborhood. Brian's father is a civil
engineer and his mother is a dietitian. As a newborn, Brian was
described as a “fussy” baby who did not enjoy being held by
others, including his parents. As he grew, Brian’s parents coped
by minimizing their interactions with him, often encouraging
him to play by himself. Although he is able to talk, he prefers to
express his needs by grunting and mumbling. His pediatrician
has recommended speech therapy to encourage him to use a
greater vocabulary on a regular basis, Brian’s parents are
hesitant to “label him” as a “special needs child” at this young
age and have declined any intervention at this time.
Brian has had four different childcare providers since he was
six months old. For the past year, he and Luke have spent
weekdays with their childcare provider, Tracy, who cares for
three additional children under age seven, two of whom
frequently wrestle, throw food and hit each other during the
day. Last year, Brian’s parents decided to enroll him in a pre-
school program five days per week. Brian attended exactly two
weeks before his parents were contacted over concern that he
was constantly hitting others and throwing toys. Rather than
work with the pre-school, Brian’s mother decided to return him
to Tracy’s house, explaining that the pre-school did not
understand the energy level of boys. Tracy describes Brian as
exasperating but has been reluctant to discuss her concerns with
the Smiths, for fear that they will remove Brian and Luke from
her care, and she needs the money.
In addition to his preschool classmates, Brian has been
aggressive with his now 2-year-old brother Luke since Luke was
an infant. For example, he has hit Luke, smashed toys over his
head, and recently ran Luke over with his tricycle. Brian’s
father has become increasingly frustrated as he struggles to

2. communicate with his son. He responds to Brian by yelling and
demanding that Brian speak clearly. Interactions with his father
often result in Brian screeching, biting his own arm, or
throwing objects. Brian’s mother attributes much of Brian's
behavior to being a “toddler boy.” She disciplines him by
attempting to explain the reasons his behavior is “not nice.”
Brian’s father has begun implementing time-outs as a means of
discipline.
1)
Discuss how the key concepts in the chapter may be used to
describe Brian and his family.
2) What additional information would be helpful to have about
Brian?
Focus and Organization (10 points): the topic clearly stated and
the paper is organized with an
introduction, discussion of the issues and a conclusion.
Thorough discussion of the assigned readings (10): the paper
discusses the assigned readings in relation
to the topic.
Correctness (10): there is correct usage of grammar, syntax,
spelling, and correct usage of APA
guidelines.