Could you foster Bethany? (7)

23rd June 2025

Bethany* is a loveable and happy 7 year old girl who likes dancing, music and wearing dresses. She is a very pleasant, sunny little girl who has a smile for everyone she meets. Bethany is happy to potter around playing by herself but also enjoys engaging with others in games such as ring-a-ring-a-roses and row the boat.

Bethany has experienced difficult early childhood experiences. Despite their best efforts her parents struggled to provide Bethany with stimulation and learning experiences for her to develop and thrive. Bethany is nonverbal and a diagnosis of Autism is being explored as she does have additional needs. Bethany can struggle with sensory issues and needs basic explanations and directions to ensure her understanding of certain tasks.

Bethany is learning to use communication cards and due to her communication challenges she sometimes struggles to manage her emotions and can get upset. This is becoming easier and much less frequent for her though as her current foster carers become attuned to her needs, wants and triggers.

Bethany has come on leaps and bounds since being placed with her foster carers. Bethany has been provided with a loving and supportive environment and is much more settled and has developed some skills in articulating herself.

Bethany loves the trampoline and toys such as water filled toys or heavy toys. She currently carries with her a plastic see through make up bag filled with her favourite things. Bethany likes to lift and carry heavy objects and enjoys lifting and setting these down, a sensory seeking experience for her. Bethany enjoys going to the caravan at the weekends and going for walks in the fresh air, sometimes opting for her special needs pram to enjoy the view.

Bethany has clear routines and boundaries within her foster home which she responds well to but is able to adapt to some change in day to day life. There has been a huge improvement in Bethany’s development and whilst this still remains delayed in comparison to her age and expected stages, it is really apparent that she is progressing and as a result she is showing signs of her ability to learn, play and communicate.

Bethany attends a special school every day from 8.50am-2pm and is transported by the Education Authority. Bethany enjoys attending school and knows where her classroom is and who her teachers are and smiles when going in. Bethany also attends a private nursery placement one day a week for 2 hours. Over the summer this was increased and Bethany responded well to this frequency.

Bethany is generally a good sleeper and goes to bed around 7.30pm and wakes at 7.30am. When Bethany returns from school she likes to have a snack and settle back into home life. She is content finding her favourite toys and begins to wind down from a busy school day.

Bethany has a great diet and enjoys a whole host of foods provided to her from her carers. Bethany enjoys family meal times and will be around her foster carers when they are cooking meals intrigued in what is being prepared. Bethany loves fruit and vegetables but can have a sensitive tummy if she eats too much of certain fruits. Bethany doesn’t have any aversions to textures and the only foods she doesn’t like is bananas. Bethany likes to sit at the table and engages with the family during mealtimes.

Bethany will get cleaned up from dinner and use some sensory toys or her bouncing chair and engages in family time with her foster siblings. Bethany enjoys supper later in the evening, then gets washed and settled for bed.

Bethany has family time with her mum and dad fortnightly along with her brother.

*Name changed and stock image used to protect child’s identity.