Clinical Social Work with a Child Experiencing Early Onset Schizophrenia in Haiti

Background: Early onset schizophrenia is a rare condition characterized by psychotic symptoms in children and youth under the age of 18. Diagnosis and treatment of this disorder can be complicated by cultural and socioeconomic factors.
Methods: The case of an 11-year-old girl living in urban Haiti who developed a set of unusual symptoms indicative of psychosis, notably auditory command hallucinations, visual hallucinations, and disorganized behavior, is presented in this paper.
Results and Conclusions: The history and development of the client’s treatment plan as well as the various interventions used are outlined. Cultural, social and economic issues relative to assessment and treatment of serious mental illness in Haiti are also discussed.