Photographs by Yuen Lui

If you have completed an adoption homestudy and would like to have your information forwarded to this child's worker, contact us.

Legally free, MATTHEW (4/99) is a cutie with a tremendous smile who likes to be right in the midst of things. Swimming is a favorite pastime, and he enjoys building forts with tents in the living room. Matthew has two younger siblings who are in their adoptive home with whom he would like to maintain contact.

Matthew came into care in April 2004 due to his parents’ inability to address his severe medical and developmental needs, which are caused by an abnormal congenital condition that causes muscle deterioration and by fetal alcohol exposure. His level of muscular dystrophy impedes his growth, ability to walk and move, and can shorten his life span.

Because cognitive behavioral or play therapies do not adequately address Matthew’s multiple treatment needs, training and supportive consultations for Matthew’s adoptive parents is likely the best way to address his issues.

Matthew wants to please adults, and care needs to be taken to actively support and encourage his efforts to demonstrate positive behavior. It is recommended that Matthew be involved in a consistent behavioral program that floods him with positive reinforcement for maintaining appropriate boundaries, and also provides firm but brief consequences when he misbehaves. Adults need to be able to model appropriate personal boundaries in their physical contact with him. He also requires modeling and many verbal cues to complete tasks, e.g., safely crossing a street, responding to a fire drill, and brushing his teeth.

Matthew’s attention difficulties, high energy, and impulsiveness may not be related to ADD or ADHD but instead to his low level of overall functioning. Medication is being considered to help him slow down, as his high energy overexerts his muscles and aids in the process of their deterioration.

In school, Matthew’s program is focused on the needs of developmentally delayed children. He has special support for expressive and receptive language and gross motor skills.

While two parents would likely be better able to manage his challenging physical needs, Matthew’s worker wants to hear from those exceptional single moms and dads who have great support systems. Matthew’s adoptive folk(s) need to accept the inevitability of Matthew’s physical decline and the likelihood that he will have a shortened life span. Having older siblings, especially, could be a wonderful boon for him. Of course, his adoptive family will need to live in an area with easy access to medical and educational services.


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