Author: Darlene K. Sekerak, PT, PhD
Chad is the nineteen-month-old son of an unmarried seventeen-year-old mother. Both mother and father are committed to being good parents and both extended families, although somewhat traumatized by the situation, are very involved and supportive. Mother and Chad live with Chad?s maternal grandparents and father has an efficiency apartment in town. Chad visits with his father one weekend a month. Chad has been a rather ?colicky? baby, does not sleep well, and mom has had a difficult time establishing a routine for him. Mom works irregular hours as a server at a restaurant in the mall. Mom enjoys caring for Chad and is determined to prove that she is a capable mother.
Dad and the paternal grandmother have grown concerned because Chad seems to be delayed in the achievement of a number of skills. He did not sit up until 9 months, still does not walk on his own and has no clear words. Dad told mom about his concerns and suggested that she talk to the doctor about it. Mom said that she takes Chad to a pediatrician for his shots and when he is sick and that the doctor would have said something if there was a problem. When Dad raised his concerns again a second time, Mom said she had mentioned it to her own grandmother who said not to worry about it because she (mom) had also been a slow walker. Dad suggested that they take him to the Developmental Evaluation Center to be checked but Mom insisted that nothing was wrong and that if Dad did not back off, she would not let Chad visit with him anymore.
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