Jade

Year 1

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Jade is a 6-year-old girl diagnosed with autism. She spends half the school
day in a regular classroom and half in a small specialist class of seven
students. The other students in the specialist class range in age from
Foundation to Year 4, and there is a mix of male and female students. Jade
has a Individual Education Plan.

SOCIAL SKILLS:
Jade will not initiate a conversation and has difficulty communicating with
her peers. She has difficulty making eye contact with others and will not
respond when she is spoken to.

BEHAVIOUR:
Jade frequently becomes angry during the school day. During these angry
outbursts she screams loudly and will run around the room with her hands
over her ears. It was reported that yesterday she ran into the toilet and
locked herself in. She finds it very difficult to play with other children and
does not understand about rules and routines. Jade is fascinated by the
overhead fan in the classroom and will spend hours looking at it when it is
on. She frequently walks on tip toes and has to be reminded to put her heels
on the floor.

ADADEMIC ABILITY:
Because of her poor verbal skills, Jade is well behind academically. She has
started to hold a pencil and makes marks on paper. She is able to identify
the numbers 4 and 6, but is unable to identify any others. She is still unable to
read her name.

SCHOOL CONTEXT:
Small Christian school (500 students)
Uniforms are required
Fully fenced
Play equipment shared by all year levels
Lesson times are indicated by a loud bell

Reference:
Case Study Adapted from: Hyde, M., Carpenter, L., & Conway, R. (eds.)
(2014). Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement (2nd ed.). South Melbourne:
Oxford University Press, p. 279