Window on the Clearwater
Traditional news Today's technology
wednesdayhead.JPG - 4404 Bytes

Editor's Note: Window on the Clearwater has joined the Wednesday's Child network to help spread the word about children that are waiting for families to give them the loving care that they need. Each Wednesday we will profile a different child. For more information about Wednesday's Child and how you can be involved check the web site at: http://www.idahowednesdayschild.org/.

Asher

Age: 14

"HI, My name is Alexander James, but I just go by 'AJ'. The kind of family I want is a family who is nice and who loves and cares about me. I want them to know about my problems and how to help me, like how to help me deal with anger. I hope they have patience and will give me respect."

"I would choose a dad that is either white or black, race doesn't matter to me. He would take me to Roaring Springs or Wahooz and do other fun things with me. He would teach me how to work on cars and make things out of wood. I made a bird house once and I would like to make other things. With my mom I would want to stay home and hang out. I could even learn how to cook. I would like a family with brothers that could help me learn to skateboard and to play video games with me. Some of my favorites video games are Rachet and Clank and Predators vs. Aliens. I also love to read, especially fantasy books. I like to swim, to eat, and to play basketball, football and soccer. But I don't really want to be on a team, just play around."

"I don't care where I live, as long as I can still keep in contact with my mentor, my little brother and sister in Oregon, and both of my grandmas. It would be fun to have a lot of cousins and more grandparents and aunts and uncles."

AJ is an inquisitive young man with a quiet, though persistent, personality. However, people who know him well would say he is very talkative! When he gets mad he can slam doors or stomp, but is not physically aggressive toward others. He loves to talk to adults and quickly reveals whatever is on his mind. AJ is an endless source of questions. He loves to share his imagination as he strives to understand the world around him. AJ sees the world as black and white and he can become quickly frustrated when things do not go his way. When given choices of what he can personally do to change the situation, he usually comes around to a solution.

AJ has tremendous resiliency in view of the traumas he has experienced. He loves cracking jokes and teasing others, though he doesn't appreciate being teased by other children. He thrives on being the center of attention, and is happiest when his conversations reflect his own interests.

AJ can be affectionate with trusted adults if given time. He has learned good coping skills but often fails to implement them in real life situations. He is working on picking up on social cues from others, learning reciprocity and building positive relationships with peers. AJ is at his best in a structured environment where there are consistent routines, established rules, clear boundaries and plenty of rewards.

AJ would do best in a traditional home with two parents who have the ability, skills and time to focus on his challenges as well as his strengths. Above all, he needs role models who demonstrate healthy male/female relationships in a family setting. The adoption team is looking for a family where he will be the only child or the youngest child with older siblings. Parents who have experience parenting pre-teens would be a benefit to AJ. A team effort will be critical to AJ's continued progress. He needs a family who can help him learn appropriate social and self-care skills as he navigates his way through adolescence and beyond. Adoptive parents will need to understand and be willing to work with multiple individual treatment providers and special education professionals to help AJ continue to be successful.

If you are a family with an understanding of developmental challenges, difficulty with trust and attachment disorders, and the effects of early childhood traumas, you could make such a difference in this child's life! AJ's ability to return love will take time and effort, but it will be a reward that will come unexpectedly, like a hidden treasure, to the dedicated family that devotes their efforts to this lovable boy.

Portrait by Barb from Barb Bergeson Studio Gallery

To find out more about AJ, adoption or becoming a foster parent, email the Idaho CareLine or call 1-800-926-2588. You may be asked to provide this reference number: 30266.

Wednesday's Child Archives...

Window on the Clearwater
P.O. Box 2444
Orofino, ID 83544

Telephone:
Orofino 476-0733
Lewiston 208-503-7107
Toll Free 1-866-376-9810
Fax: Toll Free 1-866-376-9810

Email