Hallei, 15 years old, OH

Wish submitted by:

Hallei is an outgoing and opinionated young person who openly expresses her feelings and thoughts. She came to the home after a preplacement visit that helped determine whether the home would be a good fit for her. Hallei communicates effectively about her emotions, allowing us to observe her different temperaments and moods. She is starting to engage in conversations with her to work through these feelings. She is knowledgeable about the coping mechanisms that work best for her and how she prefers to be supported during stressful times. This understanding has developed from her hard work to overcome previous behavioral challenges.

Hallei is an autistic youth who uses rocking as a self-soothing technique. The foster family has a swing outside that Hallei can rock in, but we would like to add a rocking chair inside the home as well. This will allow Hallei to rock and self-soothe whenever she feels upset. Hallei is very familiar with her coping skills and knows what works for her. Having easy access to a rocking chair will be a significant help in her self-regulation, especially as she faces new transitions in her life, including starting a new school.