The five scenarios described here are not "real", however, they are representative of the diverse issues, lifestyles and situations facing the 2,000+ troubled children and families who turn to the Wichita Child Guidance Center every year for help.
Austin Ten year old "Austin" lives with his paternal aunt. His father was convicted and sent to prison for possession of cocaine three years ago; his mother is in an alcohol treatment center. Discovered by his aunt, Austin and 2 younger siblings had been living alone in the family home: the electricity had been turned off, and all three children were existing on remnants of canned and boxed foods. Austin says his mother had gone to buy groceries and never came back. Austin's two younger sisters are now in foster homes. Austin has become verbally and physically abusive to his aunt, and provokes fights at school. Adam "Adam" is a personable 7 year old who prefers to be called "Joshua". He was physically abused by his biological father, who reportedly "drank a lot and got into fights." As a result of severe beatings since infancy, Adam is mentally retarded. Adam recently lived in a home with his mother, his grandmother, and his grandmother's boyfriend, but was removed to a foster home when authorities discovered that Adam was being sexually abused by the grandmother's boyfriend. Diagnosed as Severely Emotionally Disturbed (SED), Adam says that he likes to set fires in his room because he is afraid to sleep in the dark.
Karra "Karra" is 15 and the oldest of 5 siblings. She has never known her biological father, and was sexually abused by at least four of her mother's boyfriends. Karra regularly abused alcohol and other drugs, including crack and marijuana. Karra also sold drugs, and was arrested last year for shoplifting and car theft. Testing shows that Karra has below average intelligence and minimal impulse control. She is currently living in a residential treatment center and is pregnant.
Danny Nine year old "Danny" lives with his father. Danny's mother and older brother were fatally shot in a gang-related drive-by shooting about a year ago. Danny's teachers say he often erupts into violent behavior at school when other children unintentionally anger him. He's been suspended from school six times, and is struggling to make passing grades. Danny and his father argue a lot, and Danny has run away from home twice in the last six months.
Letissha , 11 years old, is the middle child in a family of three girls. She was recently diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Her mother says that Letissha's behavior has become a major stress on the whole family since she and Letissha's father divorced: Letissha refuses to do chores, demands constant attention, and is wantonly destructive if she does not get her way. She refuses to share any of her things, but willfully takes what she wants from other family members. Letissha's grandfather provides child care while their mother works, and Letissha appears to behave best when he is in the home.