Tyrone is now 19 years of age and has been incredibly supported by his father and mother as he has learned to live with CP. He is able to get around on his own most of the time with the assistance of a wheelchair. Throughout high school, Tyrone was popular and well-liked. Moving out of high school has been a challenge, and Tyrone still takes some classes at the local vocational technical school. He has developed an interest in horticulture, and the local school offers training in that area. Tyrone has considered college but isn't sure how to do about exploring his options.
Tyrone has become very close to his father, and they spend alot of time together. They especially love to go to the river -- the local town sits on a river, and there is an overlook that they often go to just to talk and listen to the water pour over the small dam that's been built there. Tyrone's dad has been an incredible support over the years, and he always tells Tyrone that he believes in him and that Tyrone can do anything he wants to in life.
Tyrone continues to struggle with certain aspects of his CP, but, by and large, he has learned to live with it. He regularly sees a counselor in the community who helps him to sort out his thoughts and feelings regarding his future and his difficulties. Most of his peers have gone on to college, and sometimes he feels pretty isolated. He has a great relationship with all of the teachers at his school.
* What are the major developmental milestones for a 19 year old? Be as specific as you can in your answer: what cognitive changes might we expect typically? Socio-emotional changes?
* Are there supported employment options available for Tyrone is he wants to get a job? You may use the local area (Harrisonburg) as a case-study of sorts -- you may also look at larger areas in Virginia (Richmond, Tidewater, NOVA, etc.) to see what kinds of options are available in those locations.
* If Tyrone wants to pursue horticulture, what kind of college experience might be helpful for him?
* What is the life expectancy for someone with CP? Is is shorter or longer than what we would typically expect? Are there complications that can develop from CP that can radically shorten one's life?
* What are the major developmental milestones for a 19 year old? Be as specific as you can in your answer: what cognitive changes might we expect typically? Socio-emotional changes?
ReplyDelete= The main developmental tasks for a 19-year old typically include establishing your own uniqueness based upon the combination of values and a sense of self in relation to society, others, the opposite sex, the future, vocations, ideas, and the cosmos. Another task includes creating independence from the family.
- Normal characteristics regarding physical development can include that their physical maturation is basically completed by age 19 and their physical features are shaped and defined. They also have a higher probability of acting on sexual desires.
- Normal characteristics regarding intellectual development can include possible lack of information or self-assurance about personal skills and abilities, serious concern about the future, beginning to integrate knowledge leading to decisions about the future.
- Normal characteristics regarding social development can include relationships with parents range from friendly to hostile, sometimes have feelings that parents are “too interested,” usually has many friends and few confidents, dates a lot, varies in levels of maturity , may be uncomfortable or enjoy activities with the opposite sex, as well as thoughts of marriage. They also may be powerfully invested in I a single, romantic relationship!
- Normal characteristics regarding emotional development can include worrying about the future, appearing moody, angry, lonely, impulsive, self-centered, confused, and stubborn. They may also have conflicting feelings about their dependence/independence.
- Normal characteristics regarding moral development can include confusion and disappointment about inconsistencies between stated values and actual behaviors of family and friends as well as feelings of frustration, anger, sorrow, and isolation. They may also be interested in sex as a reaction to physical-emotional urges and as a way to participate in the adult world.
* Characteristics such as depression, suicide attempts, sense of isolation, loneliness, impulsiveness, extreme rebellion, denial of feelings, poor hygiene, drug/alcohol abuse. anorexia, bulimia, obesity, prostitution, stealing, etc. are all indicators of developmental lag and are things to watch out for!
* Are there supported employment options available for Tyrone is he wants to get a job? You may use the local area (Harrisonburg) as a case-study of sorts -- you may also look at larger areas in Virginia (Richmond, Tidewater, NOVA, etc.) to see what kinds of options are available in those locations.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the ADA of 1990, it states that employers shall not discriminate against a “qualified individual with a disability”. This applies to job application procedures, hiring, advancement and discharge of employees, workers' compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. With this being said, anything that Tyrone can do physically, he can apply for. There are a lot of farms here in harrisonburg that he could work for, or work in a garden shop of sorts. In harrisonburg, the ARC of harrisonburg would be a great resource for him and his family. They provide support groups, vocational training, and are one of the main advocates in the county. There are similar organizations in all major cities.
* If Tyrone wants to pursue horticulture, what kind of college experience might be helpful for him?
There are several colleges and universities in Virginia that have horticulture majors in them. Some that are close by are central virginia community college and Piedmont Virginia Community College. Virginia Tech also has a horticulture department, and it is top ranked in the nation. At Virginia Tech one can obtain a degree in Horticulture through either an environmental horticulture major or a landscape contracting degree. However, both of the community colleges listed also have online programs, which may be more convenient for Tyrone, but with how mobile Tryone seems to be doing, Virginia Tech seems like a perfect fit! VT also is known to be handicapped friendly and has a great disabilities services office.
* What is the life expectancy for someone with CP? Is is shorter or longer than what we would typically expect? Are there complications that can develop from CP that can radically shorten one's life?
The life expectancy for someone with CP can vary depending on what type of CP the individual has. Fortunately for Tyrone, his CP is not an extreme case. With Tyrone’s CP his life expectancy is not less dramatic then someone without CP, being as that he can still feed himself. We would have expected Tyrone to have a shorter life expectancy. Yes, there are complications that can develop over time from CP that could shorten one’s life. Tyrone could lose most of his motor skills resulting in not being able to feed himself or losing cognitive functions.
WORKS CITED
ReplyDelete(2011). Child Development Guide: 16-19 Years. Education.com. Retrieved on November 3, 2011, from http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Child_Guide_Sixteen/?page=2
Chewning, Mary. "Services." Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham. ARC, 2006. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. .
Harris, Roger. "Academic Programs in the VT Department of Horticulture." Virginia Tech Department of Horticulture. Virginia Tech, 2008. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. .
"Schools Colleges Universities with Horticulture Majors in USA." A2ZColleges.com- Education:Community, Graduate, Law, Medical, Dental,Management - Schools, Colleges and Universities around the World. A2Z Colleges, 1999. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. .
Stern, Ken. "Virginia | Government Assistance for Children with Cerebral Palsy." The Ultimate Resource for Everything Cerebral Palsy- CerebralPalsy.Org. My Child, 2011. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. .
Strauss, David. "Cerebal Palsy." Life Expectancy for CP, VS, TBI and SCI. Life Expectancy, 2008. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. .
Questions from Group 3:
ReplyDelete1. Who can Tyrone talk to about colleges for people in wheelchairs and with disabilities?
2. Are there special college made for those with disabilities and those in wheelchairs? If so, are they close to Tyrone’s home or far away? Are they very expensive?
3. Will Tyrone be able to live on his own 24/7?
Questions from Group 7:
ReplyDelete1. How often do complications occur later in life for individuals with CP, if there is potential for complications to occur is college the best option for Tyrone?
2. Other than Tyrone's inhibited mobility, has he reached all of the developmental milestones of a typical nineteen year old? Or are there aspects of his development that would not be considered to be normal?
3. Since Tyrone has such a close relationship with his father I'm curious as to what he would see as the best path for Tyrone to follow at this point in his life?