Case

Study
Ashley Folden
Child Adolescent Growth and Development
Dr. Thompson
Fall 2014

General Information

Isaiah Smith
Born April 12, 2003
11 years of age
Currently in the 6th grade
Resides with his single mother and his older siblings (1
sister and 1 brother)
His physical characteristics are as followed:
tall
lanky
Slim
red hair
blue eyes
freckles

Background Information
Birth weight: 10 pounds
Pregnancy and Labor: Pregnancy was normal, had
induced labor.
Age for Development First

Crawling: 8 months
Sitting: 6 months
Walking: 17 months
Talking: Spoke some words by 18 months; recited the alphabet
by 24 months, conversational around 4 years
Toilet Training: 36 months (trained for one week)

Additional Information: Mother could tell immediately

that he was different. By Pre-School age, she suspected
Aspergers.

Pre-School History
Began Pre-Kindergarten in March 2008
(but only when a slot had opened)
Was especially fascinated by the songs
they learned with the motions, he would
sing them frequently at home.
Mother began suspecting Aspergers in
Pre-School. Isaiah was diagnosed in
Kindergarten at the age of 5 and soon
after received an IEP.

School History
Interviewed Isaiahs 6th Grade Math
Teacher (the classroom is an inclusion
classroom)
Great student overall
One of the highest grades in the class
Very reserved around his peers
Uses his own mathematical strategies and
mental math, rather than the strategies
learned in the classroom
Fidgety, and often day dreams. (Maybe is bored
from already knowing the information)
Jokes and has a great influential bond with the

Observations of Child
Isaiah was late arriving for class because he had forgotten a jacket and
books outside during lunch.
Came into the room very unorganized and took quit some time to get
settled so he could start on his work
Held his pencil in an odd manner (he is left handed)
Was fidgety and day dreaming after he finished his problems early
Kept ripping paper and putting it in his mouth
Enjoyed joking around with his teacher about his speediness of finishing
the bell ringer problems Thats what happens when you have a 98!
Had no interactions or contact with his peers
Isaiah had the opportunity to perform a practice problem on the board.
The problem was about multiplying fractions. He was very nervous
(probably not about the problem but being in front of the class), he had
trouble working the smart board (accidentally erased all the problems)
but completed it very well. He had a lot of encouragement from his
teacher.

Summary
Isaiah has a very nice family, and was an intriguing case to do a case
study with (especially since he has Aspergers).
Isaiah seemed to really enjoy his math class, and his teacher in my
opinion is a very good role model for him to have in his life.
I do believe he still has some nervous issues that he could use
assistance with. Especially with interacting with his peers.
When associating a theorist for this particular case study I feel Urie
Brofenbrennes theory on ecological systems or better known as
Human Ecology Theory plays a big part. I feel this theory applies to
Isaiah due to his familys history and the current parental situation.
The Ecological Systems Theory holds that we encounter different environments
throughout our lifespan that may influence our behavior in varying degrees.

The
The
The
The
The

Micro System
Mesosystem.
Exosystem
Macro System
Chronosystem