Child/Adolescent Case Study
Guidelines and Grading Rubric
Purpose of Assignment: A case study can take on many different forms and be used for various reasons. Basically, though, a case study is the end-product of a fact-finding mission consisting of observations and data-gathering from a variety of sources. For our purposes in EP 500, the case study is a vehicle to have a “hands-on” experience with a young person by recording information gleaned from various sources and then to analyze the findings using the lenses of the theorists who have been studied in this course. This assignment should help the graduate student become a more analytical and intuitive observer of students. By the time this assignment is completed, a comprehensive “portrait” of the subject will have been written.
Note: If you have already completed a case study in another course you may not reuse it for this assignment. Turnitin will be used to assure the integrity of this assignment.
FORMAT: APA 6th Edition
Title Page with the following information:
Case Study on (Insert Pseudonym of Subject)
Author’s byline
Institutional affiliation
**Use a running head per the APA guidelines from the provided website
Abstract on second separate page per the APA guidelines from the provided website. The abstract should be short and just contain basic information about the case study—its purpose, your experiences, and a very brief introduction to your subject.
Main Body using centered, boldface, uppercase and lowercase headings to identify the main categories of information; start each subsection with an indented new paragraph. Your responses in each section and subsections should be written in narrative format.
Identification of the Subject
Give the name (use pseudonym), age, race, gender, birth order, approximate size/weight and any other information relative to the physical aspects of your subject. You should include characteristics that distinguish him/her such as size relative to others, distinguishing skills, noticeable disabilities or limitations, motor coordination, degree of activity, etc.
Information Sources
Describe how you selected your subject and the methods used to gather information about your subject [interviews, observations, checklists (must provide completed copy of checklist in appendix and include source in reference list, etc.)]. Tell how many times you observed your subject and the settings in which you observed him/her. Include details such as whether you had your subject complete tasks identified on your checklists, whether you collected a writing sample, whether you listened to him/her read or do math problems, etc.
*Note: Further explanation of developmental checklist: There are several public domain developmental checklists for various age groups available on the internet or you can devise your own using the various developmental milestones for different age groups from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website. You will need to include a copy of your checklist, completed by you with information on your subject, in the appendix. Make sure that you include the source of your checklist information in your citations and references.
Background Information
Write a paragraph that addresses each of the follow:
Give family information, including composition (caregivers, siblings, grandparents, other relatives, etc.), caregivers’ education and occupations, socioeconomic level, other information that provides a clear picture of the subject’s family
Give a description of the community in which the subject resides—urban, rural, industrial, agricultural, etc.
Describe the home atmosphere (relationships, values, climate). Give details and evidence for the description.
Give early childhood information (development, behaviors/performance information gleaned from caregiver or others). The graduate student should use the developmental checklist (must provide completed copy in appendix) for this section.
Give school information, including number of schools attended, any preschool education, special programs, need for behavioral support plan, etc. Refer to the fact that you have signed a confidentiality agreement to reassure those who give you this information.
Characteristics
Describe the subject’s performance in school. You can use the developmental checklist that you used during your observations, report cards, test scores, observable products such as writing/drawing samples, math samples, reading inventory results produced by subject or subject’s caregiver, if available, and include copies of these artifacts in the appendix.
Describe behavioral and other characteristics (cite examples and information from your developmental checklist to support statements and use research when appropriate). Use the following sub-headings and address each area:
1. Emotional characteristics: general disposition, expressions of aggression, incidence of temper tantrums, extent of self-control, emotional problems, egocentric behavior, etc.
2. Social characteristics: expression of basic courtesies, peer relations, sibling relationships, relations with adults, etc.
3. Cognitive characteristics: intelligence (IQ), if possible, academic success/failure, thought processes, interest in school, attention span, memory, ability to reason, etc.
4. Motivational characteristics: achievement motivation, overall attitude toward tasks/chores, self-regulation skills, etc.
5. Self-concept: subject’s view of him/herself relative to skills, talents, academic performance, social abilities, family relationships, self-esteem, etc.
6. Subject’s interests: gather information from subject, family, and others
7. Language development: use of vocabulary, grammar, intelligibility, any noticeable impressions
8. Moral Development: his/her view of right and wrong.
9. Health: information and health habits
Application of Theories
Considering what has been studied regarding the various development stages theories by Piaget, , Erickson, and Kohlberg, place the subject in the appropriate developmental stage from each of the theorists and explain the rationale for placement. Then address what Vygotsky would have to say about your subject considering his theories:
a. Piaget—cognitive development and moral development
b. Erickson—personal and social development
c. Kohlberg—moral reasoning
d. Vygotsky—cognitive development—even though Vygotsky does not have distinct developmental stages, determine your subject’s ability to use vocal/private speech to solve problems, level of self-regulation, degree of social interaction
General Impressions/Appraisal/Recommendations/Predictions
In this section summarize interpretations of the above information in view of knowledge of human growth and development. How does your subject compare with the average child of his/her age? What are the outstanding characteristics of your subject that might hinder him/her or that might propel him/her into greatness? What kind of additional information would one need to understand this child more fully? What suggestions would one have for caregivers/guardians and teachers to better meet the needs of the subject?
V. Reflective Questions
Be sure to write each question followed by your responses.
1. Considering the subject for this case study, discuss the relationship between his/her physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development relative to his/her readiness for learning age and grade appropriate information
2. If the subject is eligible for an individual behavioral support plan, what components need to be considered in its design and implementation in his/her school?
3. Discuss the factors and situations that would promote or diminish his/her intrinsic motivation.
4. How is the subject’s learning influenced by individual experiences, and out-of-school learning, including language and family/community values and conditions?
VI. Reference list—remember that you must have cited a source within the body of your case study to include it in a reference list.
VII. Appendix—
Copy of completed Developmental Checklist with information on your subject;
Any other supporting documents/artifacts such as subject’s writing, drawing, math
samples, etc.
Information
This case study is on a six-year-old with the pseudonym “Davon”.
For the observation, put that he was observed in his home and his grandma’s house on three occasions.
Give family information, including composition (caregivers, siblings, grandparents, other relatives, etc.), caregivers’ education and occupations, socioeconomic level, other information that provides a clear picture of the subject’s family
Davon is an only child. He lives with his mother who is a single parent. His mom a high school graduate working on her bachelor’s degree. She is a retail sales associate. Davon is very close to his mom and aunt.
Give a description of the community in which the subject resides—urban, rural, industrial, agricultural, etc.
Davon lives in an urban area.
Describe the home atmosphere (relationships, values, climate). Give details and evidence for the description.
Davon is very close with his mom. He really loves his family. While observing him at his home he always included his mom in all of his conversations.
Give early childhood information (development, behaviors/performance information gleaned from caregiver or others). The graduate student should use the developmental checklist (must provide completed copy in appendix) for this section.
Give school information, including number of schools attended, any preschool education, special programs, need for behavioral support plan, etc. Refer to the fact that you have signed a confidentiality agreement to reassure those who give you this information.
Davon is in second grade. He attends Matthews Elementary. This is first school. He attended Kidsville Academy for preschool.
Links for developmental checklist: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/middle.html
https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/developmental-milestones-your-6-year-old-child/
