Case Studies

Case 4: An adolescent with autistic spectrum condition

John is 15 years old and has been increasingly unsettled in recent months since his transfer to a larger comprehensive school from a smaller one. The move was decided as the larger school has teachers who are more experienced and trained to work with adolescents with autistic spectrum conditions (ASCs). John has struggled to adjust socially at the new school: he only had a few friends at his previous school, but here he has nobody, feels very isolated and, at times, frightened. The other boys all seem to be in gangs, and there is a pecking order which confuses John, all he seems to be aware of is that he is not welcome in them.

John is now refusing to go to school as he cannot see how things will improve. The teachers and his parents are constantly reassuring John that he will eventually settle down but, lacking in imagination and at this moment in time any positive thinking, he cannot see this happening. There is one particular boy at school who seems to enjoy mimicking John's voice, which could be considered unusually high pitched for a 15-year-old boy. John is not sure how to handle this and when others join in, he reacts by attacking the boy. When his father finds out, he is very proud of his son for standing his ground, but John is then very confused as to why he is being punished by his teacher.

• 1. What can be done to support John?

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  Correct answer:

  • Try to understand which elements of John's behaviour could be attributed to the impairments within the triad.
  • Most people with ASC do not like change.
  • Many will have unusual ways of communicating and will not understand humour, sarcasm and idioms.

• 2. What can the school do to ensure that John is not bullied?

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  Correct answer:

  • Follow through their 'anti-bullying' procedures. If they do not exist, then write them and publish them on the school website.
  • Educate staff and students about ASCs and work with agencies.

• 3. How can John's parents support him to respond in a more appropriate way?

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  Correct answer:

  • Contact the educational psychologist to help John develop more effective coping strategies.
  • Ensure John has a statement of need in place.

• 4. What other factors should be borne in mind?

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  Correct answer:

  • Long-term effects of bullying behaviour on John
  • Clear management plan to support John
  • Strategies to support John with regard to friendship/groups in and outside of school.