SPE309: Nathan is a primary 5 student with a known diagnosis of borderline intellectual disability and Dyslexia in a mainstream: Mental Health Issues in Special Needs Assignment, SUSS, Singapore

Question 1

Nathan is a primary 5 student with a known diagnosis of borderline intellectual disability and Dyslexia in a mainstream educational setting. As his SEN officer, you have been providing support to him in school. In recent weeks, his class teacher has feedback to you that Nathan appears to be going to the toilet very frequently during class time.

She also noted that he appears to be distractible and not paying attention in class. This was a change from his studious and cooperative nature in primary 4. When she spoke with him, Nathan admitted that he found the classes difficult and his parents had signed him up for tuition classes outside of school which he did not like. Nathan’s class teacher seeks your input as his SEN officer about his condition.

• Examine Nathan’s presentation and discuss if Nathan presents with Attention Deficit Disorder.
• Evaluate the factors that contributed to Nathan’s current presentation.

Question 2

After a few weeks, Nathan complained to you during your session about heart palpitations, breathlessness, and feeling numb during class. He also talked about blanking out when he felt this way and was worried that there is something wrong with him and that he is going to die.

• Examine Nathan’s symptoms and discuss the symptoms and indicators that may warrant a further evaluation of his problems and referral to a specialist.
• As his SEN officer, you have been requested by Nathan’s teachers and parents to support Nathan in school.

Explain Nathan’s social-emotional learning needs to his parents and teachers and incorporate these elements to outline a program that you can implement with him. Elaborate on the considerations and instructional methods that you will need to utilize in the program to meet Nathan’s needs.