Student Ability Profile: Penny

Narrative:

Penny is an 18-year-old senior who is extremely gifted intellectually. She quickly grasps concepts and has a whimsical and creative intellect. Penny is highly unorganized and does not keep track of or turn in assignments. She rarely does any written work on her own without much encouragement. She is noncooperative, and her parents have given up. She participates fully in physical activities but never hands in lab reports or homework.

Task/Assignment:

Actively participating in science and math classroom and lab experiences, including lab manipulations, field trips, and classroom discussions.

Equipment: (lab equipment, protective clothing, chemicals)

A wide range of science equipment and materials are used in the science lab. Paper, pencil, chalk, chalkboard, and computers are used in the science and math classroom.

Environment: (fumes, odors, dust, temperature, noise, group-work)

Typical lab and classroom environments. Field trips occur often.

Physical Challenges

None.

Potential Strategies / Accommodations

None.

Resources

Not applicable.

Sensory Challenges

None.

Potential Strategies / Accommodations

None.

Resources

Not applicable.

Cognitive Challenges

8. Poor attention span.

Potential Strategies / Accommodations

• Provide one-to-one support to force the issue of completing assignments. Group work may be distracting to Penny.
• Provide an assignment book with teacher signatures on a daily or bi-weekly basis and perhaps printed on an electronic day planner.
• Give lots of follow-up on assignments. Check progress frequently.
• Communicate with her other teachers.

Resources

• Explore accommodation options at theAccessSTEM website at http://www.washington.edu/doit/Stem/.

Physical Issues

Think of the required physical aspects of the task. What will make the environment accessible, keep the student safe and allow him/her to be an active participant? What lab equipment must be manipulated?

Physical Challenges

1. lift / carry
2. stamina / endurance
3. push / pull
4. knee / squat
5. reach
6. repetitive tasks
7. fine motor: pinch / grasp
8. fine motor: manipulate / maneuver
9. gross motor
10. sit in chair
11. walk / stand
12. balance
13. bend / twist
14. stoop / crouch
15. other

Sensory Issues

Think of room temperature, noise, fumes, dust, odors, and allergies. Also consider the ability to speak and/or communicate, and the visual aspects of the task or assignment.

Sensory Issues

1. vision
2. hearing
3. touch
4. smell
5. taste
6. oral communication
7. temperature
8. fumes
9. external stimuli
10. lighting
11. other

Cognitive Issues

Is the assignment done with a group, partner or individually? What memory and communication skills are needed? What is the level of complexity of the task.

Cognitive Challenges

1. short term memory
2. long term memory
3. task complexity
4. reading
5. writing
6. spelling
7. string of numbers (math)
8. paying attention
9. visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner.
10. self-esteem / advocacy issues
11. behavior issues / acting out
12. other