SPE3002 Autism Spectrum Disorder - Case Study
K is a 12 year-old boy, diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. He is currently in Year 6 at primary school, and is participating in a graduated transition program to high school. Academically he does well at spelling and maths, and his teachers say that he is an intelligent student, although he only achieves C’s and D’s in his grades. He lacks the motivation and focus to apply himself fully in his studies, and often has trouble comprehending what is required in his schoolwork, needing extra assistance to stay on task in many activities.
He is well spoken with a large vocabulary that is mostly used correctly in context. He is very literal, requires clear verbal and written directions, and is still learning the meaning of puns and figurative speech. He has sensory sensitivity issues to sound and light, and can get easily overwhelmed by new experiences or sudden and unexpected changes, all of which affect his ability to remain focussed in the classroom.
K enjoys many play interests, including Transformers, Lego, Bionicles and video games, which are followed passionately to the point of obsession. He will talk about them incessantly for hours, with an oblivious and very focussed sense of joy, which often causes alienation from his peers.
Socially, K tries very hard to fit in, and is proactive in attempting to make friends and talk to people. He does understand he has Asperger’s, and is learning what that means for him. He is also very conscious of his difference when compared to his neuro-typical peers, and has stopped using many of his previous visual aids, as he felt this made him stand out too much in the classroom. He has been a target of bullying many times, and he finds it hard to understand other’s motivations and actions. This can leave him frustrated and acting out angrily at times, although he is trying hard to learn to control his tempered outbursts and express his emotions.
Overall, K presents as a happy and cheerful young boy, who is looking forward to being a teenager in high school. He will need continual support to increase his self-regulatory abilities, and will face many challenges ahead with this transition into secondary education and increased independence.
(K= not his full name obviously, to protect his identity.)
He is well spoken with a large vocabulary that is mostly used correctly in context. He is very literal, requires clear verbal and written directions, and is still learning the meaning of puns and figurative speech. He has sensory sensitivity issues to sound and light, and can get easily overwhelmed by new experiences or sudden and unexpected changes, all of which affect his ability to remain focussed in the classroom.
K enjoys many play interests, including Transformers, Lego, Bionicles and video games, which are followed passionately to the point of obsession. He will talk about them incessantly for hours, with an oblivious and very focussed sense of joy, which often causes alienation from his peers.
Socially, K tries very hard to fit in, and is proactive in attempting to make friends and talk to people. He does understand he has Asperger’s, and is learning what that means for him. He is also very conscious of his difference when compared to his neuro-typical peers, and has stopped using many of his previous visual aids, as he felt this made him stand out too much in the classroom. He has been a target of bullying many times, and he finds it hard to understand other’s motivations and actions. This can leave him frustrated and acting out angrily at times, although he is trying hard to learn to control his tempered outbursts and express his emotions.
Overall, K presents as a happy and cheerful young boy, who is looking forward to being a teenager in high school. He will need continual support to increase his self-regulatory abilities, and will face many challenges ahead with this transition into secondary education and increased independence.
(K= not his full name obviously, to protect his identity.)