Jennifer, 11, was born on Nov. 8, 1987. She wants to be a pet groomer when she grows up. Pet therapy is part of the program at the residential treatment center where she lives.
Jennifer does very well with "her" dog. She's even taught him to flip a treat off his nose into his mouth at her command. Jennifer has a positive outlook on life, is eager to please and responds well to praise. She's a girl you have to meet to fully appreciate. The staff at the treatment center has grown to love her, and she seems to be everyone's favorite.In school, Jennifer is working below grade level, and her social worker says she may need some assistance as an adult to live independently.
Jennifer has some difficulty processing information and has trouble expressing her feelings verbally. She sometimes gets so angry or anxious that she can't talk, and she lashes out physically -- hitting or destroying things. She also needs reminders to take care of her personal needs. Jennifer has received a lot of individual attention and intensive therapy to help her deal with her feelings and effects of abuse and neglect. She is making progress and is learning to interact more successfully with others but she'll continue to need help.
Jennifer would probably do best as the youngest child in a two-parent family or with a single mother. She'll need lots of time and attention but her ability to attach, her desire to do well and her pleasant personality will add a bright spot in the right family. Financial assistance for medical care, therapy and adoption is available.
Editor's note: Every week the Deseret News profiles a special-needs child available for adoption through The Adoption Exchange. An estimated 35,000 children are considered "special needs" because they are from an ethnic minority, disabled, older or hard to place because there are several siblings who need to be placed together. Anyone interested in a child may call the exchange at 359-7700.