Kordell Autism Case Study

Kordell and his siblings were dropped off at my home unannounced in August of 2014. In December of 2014, DCS became involved. Prior to the children’s placement, I was working 40 hours a week making a yearly salary of $38,923.20. I do not have any children of my own.
Kordell has been diagnosed with Autism and displays extreme meltdowns, aggression and has destructive tendencies. When Kordell was placed in my care, his behaviors were extreme to the point of me being unable to get him dressed and ready before the arrival of his school bus each morning. Oftentimes, his lack of cooperation resulted in me being late for work due to having to take him to school after he was calm enough to be transported. On numerous occasions, I was forced to

His meltdowns are extreme which consist of him throwing and tearing things up in my home which has left my home in disarray. I have had torn curtains, holes in the walls, shower rods broken, doors pulled off their hinge, and even a cracked toilet. This has not happened once, but numerous times; some of which still continues today. Once DCS became involved, I was able to receive ABA therapy and a therapist started coming in the mornings; four days a week, to assist with Kordell’s morning routine. Due to his continuous meltdowns in the evenings, a therapist started coming to the home four days a week; Monday thru Thursdays and that continues even to this day. Finding child-care assistance after school was impossible, but I was able to enroll him and

During this time; I had started being “counseled” by my employer warning me of my attendance and how I needed to find a balance between work and my personal life. Unfortunately, due to my many absences and having to leave work early prior to Access Solutions and Choices getting involved per the recommendations of DCS, I was forced to resign from my job, to prevent termination. I want nothing more than to return to work, but due to not being able to find suitable individuals who are able to meet Kordell’s special needs, I have not been able to return to work. I have attempted to find employment within his school district, but due to lack of experience, I have not been called in for an interview on anything else in which I have applied for. I have also been unsuccessful in finding suitable individuals to care for Kordell to provide respite or assist in caring for him if I did return to work. I have gone through two Agencies (Damar
Services Inc. and Hearts of Compassion) and several employees who did not feel comfortable caring for him in my absence. I have also switched Foster Agencies due to lack of