CASE STUDY

Case Study



Case Study

Student Identification:

Student Name: Nick's School: Jason public schhol

Grade: First Grade

Type of Class: Inclusion Class

Cooperating Teacher: Mrs. Jessica

Student's Age: 6 yrs. Old

Native Language: English

Student Description and background information

The case study child is a young boy in the third grade. We will call him Nick. Nick is a student who has cerebral palsy. Nick has poor fine motor control, for example he cannot write with a regular pencil, and even has a hard time with crayons. Nick is able to do some things with his hands, he can push larger buttons and he truly enjoys working on the computer. Nick has a hard time with talking and he talks extremely slow. It is a little hard to understand him at first, but you can make out what he is saying. Nick enjoys learning. He tries his best to participate in class. Something that Nick really doesn't like is being bored. He wants to participate and learn just like every other student. We believe that Nick would truly benefit from being in a full inclusion setting, however he stays in a special education POHI classroom most of the day, except for the hour that he is mainstreamed into a regular education social studies classroom. (Armstrong, F. et al 2000)

Medications

The most common type of medication used for treating ADHD is called a "stimulant." Although it may seem unusual to treat ADHD with a medication considered a stimulant, it actually has a calming effect on children with ADHD. Many types of stimulant medications are available. A few other ADHD medications are non-stimulants and work differently than stimulants. For many children, ADHD medications reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and improve their ability to focus, work, and learn. Medication also may improve physical coordination.

However, a one-size-fits-all approach does not apply for all children with ADHD. What works for one child might not work for another. One child might have side effects with a certain medication, while another child may not. Sometimes several different medications or dosages must be tried before finding one that works for a particular child. Any child taking medications must be monitored closely and carefully by caregivers and doctors.

Stimulant medications come in different forms, such as a pill, capsule, liquid, or skin patch. Some medications also come in short-acting, long-acting, or extended release varieties. In each of these varieties, the active ingredient is the same, but it is released differently in the body. Long-acting or extended release forms often allow a child to take the medication just once a day before school, so they don't have to make a daily trip to the school nurse for another dose. Parents and doctors should decide together which medication is best for the child and whether the child needs medication only for school hours or for evenings and weekends, too.

A list of medications and the approved age for use follows. ADHD can be diagnosed and medications prescribed by M.D.s (usually a psychiatrist) and in some states also by clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, ...