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Mrs K contacted the Centre because of her concern about her 6 1/2-year-old adopted daughter's slow progress at school, especially in reading. The parents were puzzled because Sally had an excellent memory. Mrs K emphasized Sally's extreme sensitivity and how she cried over the slightest criticism.
The parents compared Sally unfavourably with both her apparently ‘clever’ brothers—David, their eldest child, and Paul who is 3 years older than Sally and is also adopted.
Sally was described as very envious of her brother' abilities. She ‘idolised’ Paul, according to her mother, and was easily crushed by his teasing. Hers ‘tantrums’ and sulks and her tendency to ‘hold a grudge like her mother’ were described by her father as ‘typically feminine’ If she did not do what she was told, Mr K would tell her that God would make him dead and she would never see him again. He knew that this upset her, he said, as ‘she goes pale and her mouth drops open’
In conrast to her friends, Sally could not express herself well and was shy and hesitant. With her parents she was evasive, and would not ‘own up to things’ for fear of being shouted at. She was formal in her speech with her mother, who insisted that Sally ‘voice her desires clearly’
The school described her as dreamy, slow, lethargic and lacking in confidence and initiative. She was unable to do anything until she had asked and double-checked.
During the assessment at the Centre, Sally impressed the female diagnostician as being witty,