Case Study
Interview Questions
What are some behaviors you have noticed that have been different lately or starting to come
about more? The teacher notices Justin is easily distracted, this could be early signs of ADHD or other
problems. Just wondering if there Justin has other symptoms or behaviors that may play in effect to
proving it could be ADHD.
Does Justin have any specific medical problems that are important such as vision, speech,
hearing, etc. that could be affecting his reading ability? If Justin has a vision problem, it could be
affecting his ability to read, because it might be hard to see the words. Same as what if Justin is dyslexia,
that could be hard on him as well. If he has a speech problem, he may be embarrassed to read out loud
to others as to being afraid what others may say. Until Justin is assessed it is hard to know, we can
always say what if, but until he is properly assessed it’s hard to tell.
How well does Justin interact with others? With Justin becoming more and more reluctant to
wanting to go to school, makes me wonder how well others are interacting with him, especially since he
was held back a year. Does he talk or play with other students, or is he off by himself? Is there a student
who may be bullying Justin to make him not want to come to school? Is he just having a hard time in
school physically and emotionally? What is really going on to make him be reluctant?
Case History
I would like to check/review Justin’s medical record on file at the school. It could help me get a
little better understanding of some things that could be taking place; like along the lines of vision, ADHD,
speech, etc. See if he’s on any types of medicines that could play in effect as well.
I would like to check/review Justin’s attendance, to see how many days he was absent or tardy.
Check to see if any of hi absents are excused or are they unexcused. What is the reason for the tardies
or absents. This will help me gather a little more information as to why he’s behind in school or may not
be wanting to come as much.
I would like to check/review Justin’s grades, to see where he struggles the most, like in reading,
but as well see where his strengths are. This lets me know where support may be needed in certain
subjects.
Assessment/Testing
Test 1: Light’s Retention Scale, 5th Edition
Publication Date: 1981-2015
Age: Kindergarten through Grade 12
Brief: A test to assist in determining is a student will benefit from retention. Teachers screen the
students by using a checklist. The Checklist is then used to place students within three categories low,
moderate, or high risk for retention. “The LRS-5 is a reviewed version of an assessment available since
1981 that is designed to inform student retention decisions” (HARWELL & KIRNAN, 2024). The test is
self-administrated, that takes about 15 minutes to complete and score. “The LRS-5 manual states clearly
that the assessment is a counseling tool and not a psychometric tool that no evidence of reliability,
validity, or norms is provided” (HARWELL & KIRNAN, 2024).
This test should help tell if retention was in the best interest of Justin. Whether holding him
back is going to become beneficiary or just lead up to more problems along the lines of emotional or
physical. Retention is not always good for every student, but for others it can be a good thing.
Test 2: Test of Early Reading Ability- 4th Edition
Publication Date: 1981-2018
Age: 4-0 to 8-11
Brief: A test to help identify children who may have a significant problem within their
development level of reading and to determine if there is a problem within that development. The test
measures the reading ability among young children. “It measures the knowledge of letters within the
Alphabet, the ability to distinguish between a letter and non-letter, different letter fonts, sounds within
letters, syllables, name of letters, read basic sight words, comprehend print, common orthographic
rules, book handling skills, knowledge of pictographs, logograms, numerals, symbols, and punctuation”
(GISCHLAR & SCOTT, 2021). This test is considered reliable. “Five types of reliability data are reported
in the TERA-4 manual: internal consistency (coefficient alpha), alternate forms (immediate
administration), test-retest, alternate forms (delayed administration), and scorer difference
“(GISCHLAR & SCOTT, 2021).
The teacher says Justin struggles with reading, giving him this assessment could distinguish
where he may be having trouble in reading. See what reading development or problem he is struggling
with, then maybe come to a solution to help resolve the issue.
Test 3: Test of Variables of Attention (Version 9.0)
Publication Date: 1988-2017
Age: 4-80+
Brief: This assessment is to evaluate attention span, the attention deficits, and inhibitory control.
It measures the time it takes for a student to respond accurately, that is at a consistency speed. “The
T.O.V.A is commonly used in conjunction with other clinical tools and diagnostic tests in
neuropsychological and psychological evaluations” (SHAW & STRANG, 2021). “The technical
information on reliability, validity, and standardization is not reported in either manual” (SHAW &
STRANG, 2021).
The reason for this assessment, it talks about ADHD within the manual, and with Justin’s saying
he seems to be distracted; it made me conclude he maybe ADHD. This test is associated with attention
span, as Justin’s attention span seems like it is at a bare minimum with him getting off task and being
distracted. This test might could determine what could be causing this to happen. Sometimes it is hard
to hold a child’s attention, depending on the child and what may be the topic of that matter. With the
perfect evaluations it could help get Justin with right team to help him.
Biblical Reflection
In Genesis, it talks about how God made an image of us. “Then God said, “Let us make man in
our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of
the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on
the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created him, male and female he
created them” – Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV., 2024). We are all born before God, as a model or representative.
No two people are alike, yet we all come from the same creator. Every person is within great value and
worthy in God’s eyes. We should praise God as he chose us and gave us life. In Psalms 73:26, “My flesh
and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (ESV., 2024). God
teaches us we shouldn’t just rely on our own strength, that he is the way to turn for strength when ours
begins to fail. God is a part of our ‘whole-person’ and we would not be complete without him.
As a psychologist, we know no one is perfect, we all have flaws, and we all have struggles.
Seeing someone as a ’whole-person’ may be an eye-opener. Some people’s strength may differ from
others, same as for their weaknesses, everybody has both. Justin may struggle in reading, but what is
something he is good out. Giving Justin the right help can help him improve. God can help Justin fill the
gap to help him along the way as he tries to accomplish where he is struggling or having a hard time.
Justin needs to know his worth and trust in the Lord as this will help him physically and emotionally.
References
GISCHLAR, K. L.; SCOTT, A. N. Test of Early Reading Ability--Fourth Edition.The twenty-first mental
measurements yearbook,[s. l.], 2021. Disponível em: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=mmt&AN=test.11173&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Acesso em: 25 fev. 2024.
HARWELL, M. R.; KIRNAN, J. P. Light’s Retention Scale, 5th Edition.The twentieth mental
measurements yearbook,[s. l.], 2017. Disponível em: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=mmt&AN=test.8062&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Acesso em: 25 fev. 2024.
SHAW, S. R.; STRANG, J. M. Test of Variables of Attention (Version 9.0).The twenty-first mental
measurements yearbook,[s. l.], 2021. Disponível em: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=mmt&AN=test.10750&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Acesso em: 25 fev. 2024.
The English Standard Version (ESV) bible - read online. 2024 Bible Study Tools. (n.d.).
https://www.biblestudytools.com/esv/
