Sam is a four-year-old Native American boy who has been attending Head Start classes in his community, an urban town located several hundred miles from the reservation where he was born. Sam's parents moved to this town shortly after Sam was born to look for better employment. Sam's teacher asked a social worker from a mental health agency to come and observe Sam because she noticed that his cognitive and social development seemed to lag behind that of the other children. For example, Sam has trouble remembering when to use the bathroom, has not developed a very large vocabulary, and seems overly withdrawn when other children try to engage him in play. The teacher has discussed her concerns with Sam's parents, who state that they notice nothing unusual in his behavior at home. Sam's mother states that Sam has no problem with toileting at home and is able to express his needs well to his parents. Sam has no siblings, but his mother states that Sam frequently plays with neighborhood children. Sam's parents see no need for concern and are upset that the Head Start teacher would ask a social worker to observe Sam.
a) Observation of Sam's cognitive development.
b) Discussion of Sam's social development.
c) Concerns expressed by Sam's teacher.
d) Parents' perspective on Sam's behavior.