Case Study 2

Cherise's math-related anxiety is only partly due to her being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Many of our students demonstrate math-related anxiety and do not have any identifiable learning disability. Therefore, the plans used to help Cherise might also help other students, too. The outbursts that Cherise is exhibiting can be addressed by framing math differently for her. If it appears that Cherise needs to be taken out of the mainstream math classroom to receive specialized instruction, then that might help reduce the acute outbursts and behavioral problems. Because Cherise has become self-injurious, it is crucial to address this matter immediately and if necessary, remove her from this particular classroom.

The plan for Cherise will include assistive technologies designed for mathematics instruction. By reframing math as a fun and engaging learning activity, Cherise will eventually be less anxious in a mainstream classroom. The tools used to teach...

Cherise can work with a specialized instructor during regular math class time, inside the computer lab. When Cherise builds confidence as well as abilities in her mathematics instruction, she can later be re-integrated with the classroom. Because it is only the one subject that needs attention, Cherise will continue to benefit from her placement in mainstream classrooms.
Another critical component of Cherise's plan will be to work with her parents. Cherise's parents need to know what is going in terms of her behavioral outbursts at school and her self-injurious behavior. Her parents also need to be aware of her need to build confidence in math, which might mean offering software and other technologies that Cherise can work with at home. If possible, the school might be able to allocate funding for additional mathematics tutors for Cherise, but the software might be sufficient for the time being.