| Abstrakt: |
The article examines the issues of termination with children and describes a tool, the memory book, that facilitates the process. Although the principles of termination with children parallel those with adults, particular attention must be given to the meaning of the loss for the child. In social work practice with children, the worker often becomes a transitional object for the child, who may have experienced the death of a loved one, divorce or movement from one family to another. Denial, anger and sadness are often manifested by a return of symptoms, acting out, withdrawal or regression. A sense of worth and mastery can be encouraged by reviewing what the child has accomplished during the period of work together. The worker and child complete the memory book together, allowing them to review their work and relationship. Because the child and worker have worked on the memory book together, the sharing aspect of the social work relationship is highlighted. The worker prepares an outline of the book by writing or typing statements and questions that address the major that were dealt with during the casework process. The memory book is not and should not be viewed as a substitute for termination work; it is a means of facilitating that work. It is not meant to stand in the way of the worker's sensitivity to the child's own perceptions of the relationship or expressions of grief. |
