Practicum Research Paper

People of all different ages, see the world in all different ways. Working with adolescents in my practicum has been such a treat. It has also been a great learning experience. Working with adolescents is different from anything I have ever done. Talking to them and relating to them can be a bit difficult. It continues to difficult because each adolescent is different, and they communicate in different ways. Some are extremely open and are willing to share information. While others are more guarded and it takes times to build rapport. I interviewed a family friend’s sixteen-year-old son. I have changed the names of those interviewed for confidentiality purposes. This week I interviewed Thomas. I choose to interview Thomas has his home, so he would be comfortable. I asked Thomas where he would like to be interviewed at, he choose the kitchen. I casually chatted with Thomas before we started the interview. He seemed very comfortable and at ease with me before the interview started. I started with the most basic questions. Thomas is a sixteen year-old male. He is currently a sophomore at Central High School in Aberdeen, SD. When I asked if he wanted to describe himself any …show more content…
He didn’t ever seem nervous. He asked me what I meant; when I asked a question he wasn’t sure of. Rapport was quickly built, because we have known each other for a while. I believe Thomas was comfortable with me right away. Thomas is a very smart kid. He is obviously developmentally on track, perhaps ahead of his peers. Thomas is currently in the 5th stage of Erikson’s developmental model, identity vs. role confusion. In that stage, Thomas is asking who am I? This seems to be developmentally appropriate. Thomas is physically developmentally appropriate. He is growing and maturing like an average sixteen year-old. We did not get into anything real emotional but I would assume he is also developing appropriately with