Dustin from Bulgaria

Dustin is a typically developing boy who was born in April 2005. He has a history of tuberculosis of the intrathoracic lymph nodes for which he is currently receiving treatment. Dustin has been living in an orphanage since 2013. Dustin is a calm, upbeat, and well-intentioned teen who interacts well with adults and peers, maintains friendships at his group home and at school and has a positive attitude towards meeting new people. He sometimes exaggerates his abilities in an attempt to attract attention and win respect from others. Dustin enjoys sports, especially volleyball and basketball, is part of a jigsaw puzzle club at his orphanage, and loves animals. His TV shows of choice are NatGeo and Animal Planet and he often uses his own money to buy food for some of the stray cats living near his orphanage. Dustin’s gross motor, fine motor, and expressive language skills are well-developed. He speaks in sentences, asks appropriate questions, and is able to create a story from looking a picture. He sometimes requires detailed explanations or instructions to fully understand what is being asked of him. Dustin is a 7th grade student in the 2018/2019 school year, where he works with a resource teacher under an individual education program due to academic gaps. He is easily distracted and requires frequent support to complete assignments. Nonetheless his social worker shares that Dustin shows a desire to learn and to be successful at school. Dustin manages his personal hygiene independently and is learning to take care of his personal belongings and to clean up after himself. Dustin shares that he very much wants to be adopted. A forever family would provide him with the security and stability he needs to grow, develop, and flourish.