Problem
Alejandro is a 12-year-old Mexican boy who lives with his father and younger brother. About a week ago, his mother passed away. His teacher, Mr. Kombs, reported that he went from a fun-loving boy to a boy with "sad eyes." Mr. Kombs also reported that Alejandro falls asleep in class, has a hard time focusing, and doesn't speak much. He tends to stare into space and doesn't go outside to recess at the appointed time. He has asked Alejandro a few times if he is OK, and Alejandro shrugs his shoulders. For the last two days, he has been tearful in class out of nowhere and asked to go to the restroom. Unfortunately, the teacher doesn't know how the mother passed. He has reached out to Alejandro's father, who has not returned any phone calls.
Part I: An intake has many parts, two of which are explaining informed consent and building rapport.
Robust initial discussion response that addresses the following areas:
i. What is the importance of explaining informed consent.
ii. What does Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct say about your responsibility as it relates to informed consent? (Hint: Do not simply copy and paste an ethical standard in your response to address this question.)
iii. What techniques would you use to build rapport with a 12-year-old, reserved Mexican boy, Alejandro, whose mother just passed?
Part II: Your intake also includes a clinical interview. Pick two history sections share at least three open-ended questions that you would want to ask in your interview with Alejandro.
i. Developmental history.
ii. Educational history.
iii. Medical history.
iv. Familial/relationship history.
v. Trauma history.
vi. Psychiatric history.
vii. Legal history.
viii. Substance use/abuse history.
ix. Social history.
Part III: Offer at least two rule-out diagnoses for this case and justify your answer using diagnostic criteria.