Purpose: Apply knowledge of child development and learning strategies.
1. Describe an adolescent with a long-term chronic illness. Include information such as age, developmental needs, amount of regression, and how the illness interferes with normal developmental tasks.
2. Design substitute experiences that would enhance the child’s chances for meeting appropriate developmental needs.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor, it is essential to equip medical college students with knowledge and skills that will help them in providing quality healthcare, especially to vulnerable populations such as children with chronic illnesses. This assignment will focus on how to apply knowledge of child development and learning strategies to facilitate the growth and development of adolescents with chronic illnesses.
1. An adolescent with a long-term chronic illness:
An adolescent with a long-term chronic illness faces unique challenges that may interfere with their developmental needs. For instance, a 17-year-old female with Type 1 Diabetes mellitus may experience delays in cognitive, social, and emotional development. She may feel isolated from her peers, as her condition may require constant monitoring, medication, and dietary restrictions. Moreover, the illness may interfere with her normal developmental tasks, such as attending school, forming romantic relationships, and exploring her identity.
2. Substitute experiences:
Designing substitute experiences can enhance the adolescent’s chances of meeting appropriate developmental needs. For instance, the adolescent can join a support group for teens with chronic illnesses to interact with peers who understand her struggles. Moreover, the teen can participate in extracurricular activities that align with her interests and abilities, such as writing, music, or sports. This can boost her self-esteem and help her to explore her identity outside of her illness. Additionally, the teen can attend educational workshops that focus on diabetes management, healthy eating, and coping skills. This can provide her with practical skills and knowledge to manage her illness and improve her quality of life.
In conclusion, applying knowledge of child development and learning strategies can help medical college students to devise practical interventions that enhance the developmental needs of children and adolescents with chronic illnesses. By designing substitute experiences, medical professionals can promote resilience, self-esteem, and overall well-being of their patients.
