Answer to Question #190156 in English for Ziyanda Ngese

Question

Identify a learner who experience a barrier to learning and conduct a case study by applying the assessment and learning support process appropriately for this learner.

Answer 1

Terry is a young learner who experiences difficulty in expressing

himself verbally and also difficulties in visual perception, auditory discrimination; that he had poor fine motor skills as a result of low muscle tone, poor focus, and concentration, below average

concrete and logical reasoning as well as low self-esteem and social difficulties. We did assessments, and the School’s Support Team compiled an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to support Terry’s needs.

Terry was referred to the Jabstar School because she was not meeting the academic

expectations as consistent with the Grade 3 curriculum. She required much support and consistent intervention, which included in-class support such as the use of

computer and computer-based educational programs, tape aids, and the

use of additional materials in class. The program also included weekly learning

support lessons, paired reading in co-operative learning groups with older

learners, and private occupational therapy conducted outside

of school hours. Further referrals to an audiologist and pediatric optometrist

were made but were not completed by the parents due to financial and transport

constraints. A general visual assessment was conducted at school, revealing

no difficulties. From these interventions, it appeared that while Terry

made some progress in literacy (mainly through the use of the reading and

spelling program), she did not progress sufficiently across the literacy,

numeracy, and life skills learning areas to be promoted to Grade 3.

Moreover, she required regular, intensive occupational therapy, as the weekly

sessions proved to be insufficient. As a result, the support team at the

school referred Terry to Jabstar School, a government school for learners with

special education needs (LSEN).

Jabstar School was equipped to meet the learning needs of

learners of average to above-average intelligence, which required support with

specific skills to realize their potential (such as additional reading

support, amanuensis, speech therapy, and the like). This school provided learners

with intensive therapy and learning support in a smaller classroom environment with specifically

trained staff. Furthermore, the school provided on-site occupational therapy and speech therapy, and social skills group classes and counseling. The school was near the parents’ home, and school fees were affordable, comparable to those at Fraternity. In the light of this, She was referred to the LSEN environment, where we studied Terry’s transition experiences.