c7474

Child's name: Lyden
Number: C7474
Birthdate: 5/96
State: Oregon
Listed: July 2009

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

Fun-loving, creative, and affectionate, LYDEN (5/96) loves to talk and has a natural talent for telling highly entertaining stories. Lyden also thrives on those outdoor activities where he can work with his hands, such as camping, boating, fishing, or climbing trees. A handsome boy with sparkling green eyes, dark reddish-blond hair, and freckles, Lyden's mischievous grin hints at his playful nature.

Lyden’s tough early years have exacerbated his symptoms that are characteristic of children who have Asperger’s Syndrome. He also has symptoms associated with high energy, attention difficulties, and social/cognitive delays. Lyden is also still dealing with his feelings of grief, loss, and anger over the many changes in his life, which at times have left him feeling overwhelmed and bewildered. Lyden has a nice sense of appreciation for his current foster mother who sees that he has a high level of stability and safety in his daily life. While he really values her, it is difficult for him to express those feelings directly to her.

Lyden has therapeutic supports in place, which include weekly skills training/counseling and resources to help manage his behavioral issues, especially his impulsiveness. Since many of Lyden’s difficulties occur when he is in less structured settings, such during recess or lunch time at school, his counseling sessions also take place at school to address issues as they arise.

Having caring, attentive adults nearby who are able and willing to spend significant time with him every day, listen to him in non-judmental ways, and direct him when needed have helped Lyden to make gains over the past two years. For the foreseeable future, Lyden will continue to need such emotional and psychological supports. Behavioral management tools and techniques often work well for him.

For this 2009-2010 school year, Lyden will be in eighth grade. He has benefitted in the past from having the structure and support of a self-contained classroom and resource room. While Lyden is motivated and hard workings, he continues to need and to benefit from extra assistance at school and at home to meet his academic goals.

Lyden loves to help out at his foster home, but has a difficult time self-directing and completing tasks. Those close to Lyden believe what he really wants is a place where he feels wanted and where he can belong. Lyden has two older sisters and he will be counting on his adoptive folk(s) to help him maintain contact with them.

Lyden will likely do best in a family where his adoptive parent(s) have a good grasp of the day-by-day needs of children who have symptoms associated with autism, ADHD, and social/cognitive delays. Lyden also needs to be an only child or the youngest of older siblings who can be good social role models. While Lyden has lived successfully with two parents and single parents, he would like to have a significant male figure in his life. Lyden is eligible for DDS.

Subsidy and Purchase of Service may be available.

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