Case study: Unidentified SLCN in secondary pupil impacting on expected learning level and risk of failing GCSEs
In the interest of safeguarding, this child has been referred to as ‘Betty’ throughout the case study.
BackgroundÂ
Betty is a 15-year-old pupil in her final year of secondary school. Concerns about her academic performance were raised when her school reported she was below the expected learning level and at risk of failing her GCSEs. Previously, during her primary education, Betty had undergone art therapy for potential selective mutism, which did not significantly advance her communication skills. A referral to CAMHS was not pursued further due to the prioritisation of more urgent cases.
Betty’s parents observed that she had long standing difficulties with certain aspects of life and communication but had not received adequate support to address these challenges. Her school hadn’t recognised any additional needs outside of her academic performance.
How did Chatterbug help?
Seeking further assistance, the parents contacted us who carried out an initial assessment and revealed that Betty struggled with comprehension and understanding of the English language, despite it being her first language. Additionally, she faced challenges in social interactions, such as engaging and interjecting in conversations with peers both at home and at school.
Following the assessment, a detailed report was provided to Betty’s school. The school implemented necessary adjustments to better accommodate Betty’s learning and social interaction needs.Â
Betty’s progress to date
These changes contributed to an improvement in Betty’s grades, elevating her performance to an average of 6-7 in her GCSE assessments. The support also enhanced her overall well-being and social interactions, leading to a provisional acceptance at college. This case highlights the critical impact of tailored educational support and the importance of recognising and addressing both academic and social communication needs. With appropriate interventions and adjustments, pupils like Betty can achieve success in their educational journeys.
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