This assignment must be typed in APA style, 7th edition, and be written in graduate level English. Your responses must be written in your own words to illustrate your ability to synthesize information in a cohesive discussion. To complete this assignment, you may use textbooks from your courses, use other textbooks and evidence-based research. Please note that research should be current, 5 years or less. You are required to cite and reference your resources in APA format. Your assignment should be 6-7 pages in content as described in the directions below. In addition to the 6-7 pages, you are required to include title and reference pages. Assignments over 7 pages in content (not including title and reference pages) will be returned for resubmission. See page guidelines below each section. Do Not Copy the Case into your Assignment The Case of Adam Intake Session David, 50-years old, and Simon, 32-years old, self-identify as cisgender, Latino-American gay men. The couple is seeking treatment for concerns about their 6-year-old son Adam. David and Simon have been together for 10-years. Adam is Simon’s biological son conceived through a surrogate. David was raised by his mother along with his 4 younger siblings. He describes his father as an abusive, volatile alcoholic who he has not seen since he was 8-years-old. David admits to being the target of severe physical abuse by his father as he would try to protect his younger brothers and sisters from his father’s wrath. Simon describes his upbringing as ‘traditional’, where he was the only child. He describes his father as a hard worker who took care of his family’s needs, but had difficulty showing or expressing emotions. He describes his mother as loving, yet overly reliant on Simon to meet her own emotional needs. Little is known about Adam’s surrogate mom, though there is suspicion that the mother was a drug user. David believes she agreed to be their surrogate “for the money” so that she could continue her mal-adaptive lifestyle. David and Simon are present for the first session where they focus their concern on Adam. They describe their son as being a happy, loving and affectionate child the first 4 years of his life. Once he started pre-school, his mood and behavior began to change. He became sullen, withdrawn, would have temper tantrums, would break his toys or throw them across the room. He refuses to eat what he doesn’t like and throws his food on the floor in a rage. Adam has also been acting out in his first-grade class, and has had to be removed several times for hitting his classmates. Simon reports that he often hears Adam sobbing in his room at night, goes in to comfort him, but that Adam refuses to talk to him. When asked if anything has changed over the last few years in the household, both David and Simon look at each other with trepidation. Simon is the first to speak. He reports that 2 years ago, David lost his job and is now a ‘stay at home’ dad. Simon does express concern that since David is no longer working, he had become moody, short-tempered and irritated with Adam often. Simon has also found empty liquor bottles around the house. While he has never seen David physically hit Adam, Simon is concerned that David is becoming like his own father. David denies that he drinks excessively, and that he is nothing like his father. He points to Simon as the problem due to his inability to set limits with Adam and that he is overly indulgent and ‘rescues him’ whenever there is tension in the home. David feels that Simon is overcompensating for his own childhood and that he needs to toughen up and partner with him in parenting. Second Session In the second session, David, Simon and Adam are present. Initially, Adam appears rigid and sullen, but after a few minutes, he begins to explore your office, running about, picking up random items and asking you questions rapidly. He does not appear to acknowledge your responses and continues a barrage of questions. David tells him to sit down and be quiet at which point Simon picks Adam up and sits him on his lap. At that point, the couple begins to reiterate what they told you in the first session. David’s voice escalates and Simon holds Adam closer to him. Adam closes his eyes and appears to be asleep. You notice a few bruises on Adams arm. When you ask about them, David tells you that Adam is clumsy and doesn’t watch where he is going, similar to how Adam just acted in your office. Simon says nothing. Adam continues to appear asleep. You also smell alcohol on David’s breathe. Directions: Complete each section in the page allotment indicated. You may include an introduction, but it should be no more than a ¼ of a page. Legal and Ethical Concerns [1 ½ pages] There are several legal and ethical issues specific to the case as written. Identify at least 3 pertinent legal and ethical concerns you have for this case. Support these concerns by discussing what you see in the case as written, citing the APA Ethics code. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code (also located under Resources in your syllabus). What are your professional obligations and how would you manage the legal and ethical issues you identified? Provisional Diagnosis (Adam Only) [2 ½ -pages] When looking at possible diagnoses, look at all of the factors presented in the case with regard to Adam’s presentation. Choose two (2) provisional diagnoses for Adam that are evident in the case as written. Use the DSM-5 criteria to support your provisional diagnosis. Illustrate what you see in the case that aligns with the diagnostic criteria. Treatment Plan [2 ½ -pages] When formulating a treatment plan, treat the person(s) and not the diagnosis. Create an integrative treatment plan for Adam that considers both individual and family intervention. Consider culture and diversity issues, and possible consequences of reporting child abuse. Justify if your treatment plan should consider management of David’s alcohol use as well as factors relevant to Adam’s birth that you might need to consider. Case Study Guidelines If is important to read directions carefully. Follow the guidelines of the page-allotment per section. Write your paper in APA format, 7th edition, 2020. Use the APA ethics code to identify legal and ethical issues that you see in the case. Use the DSM-5 criteria to support diagnostic thoughts. Remember that your responses should be about Adam, David and Simon. Avoid generalized discussions. Specify why your suggestions are aligned with what you see in the case. This is especially important in the treatment section. Do not present a generalized theory of how you would treat a diagnosis. Treat Adam and his family. Support your writing by citing evidence-based resources.
