Documents Prepared by the Hartmanns for the Teachers at Ashburn Elementary School
Present Level of Functioning
Pupil - Mark A. Hartmann
A. LEARNING STYLE
Mark is a visual learner who attains maximum benefit from concrete examples. A child with a short attention span for some tasks, Mark learns most/best by doing - modeling what he does after his peers. As an autistic child, he is dependent on routine and structure to become self-assured and comfortable with his environment. Within the structure created for him, Mark requires physical and verbal prompts/cues to bring him to task on any given activity.
B. COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
Mark uses gestures primarily to communicate his wants. He vocalizes sounds to express moods, both happy, sad, and angry. Mark also uses the communication board to augment and increase his range of expression.
Facilitation on the Cannon Communicator is primarily used for academic work. Mark independently uses his Cannon for copying, and infrequently to express his wants by typing one word ... i.e. Mark will type 's-n-o-w' appropriately when he wants to gain access to a recent snow fall. Mark is able to sign 'no,' 'yes,' 'more,' and 'please' in an appropriate manner most of the time. He uses aggressive behaviors to communicate negative responses to his environment.
C. NUMERICAL CONCEPTS
Mark can count at an elementary level demonstrates a limited grasp of the math concepts less, and sets - this through the use of a number.
More difficult for Mark is understanding temporal concepts such as clock time, days, weeks, months, etc. concurrently, he has difficulty with concepts such as when, after, before, if - then, etc.
D. LANGUAGE ARTS
In general, Mark demonstrates recognition of beginning and ending sounds. He nevertheless has difficulty with comprehension, depending on materials presented. Mark demonstrates a strong visual ability to recognize letters and words that have been exposed to him. He can recognize similarities and differences among words, and can supply missing letters or combinations of letters correctly.
E. SOCIAL EMOTIONAL
Initiating social interactions with his peers is difficult for Mark. He also has difficulty in maintaining the 'give and take' after a social interaction is initiated. Clearly, Mark enjoys most those occasions in which he learns from other children. He tolerates touching and direction from peers well. In general, Mark displays inconsistent eye contact with his peers and with the adults in his world. He appears to enjoy group activities, especially those in which he understands what is expected of him. Perhaps most intriguing about this little boy, Mark responds appropriately to simple humor and irony. He laughs when tickled, and enjoys that sort of play with his older sister. One other important fact Mark understands and respects boundaries established for him. He is very much aware of his environment.
F. LIFE SKILLS AND INDEPENDENT FUNCTIONING
Mark brushes his teeth, combs his hair, takes a shower and at times gives himself a shampoo with minimal prompts and cues. He is very much aware of 'hot and cold.' In general, he handles toilet chores well. Mark dresses himself with only the minor assist of having his clothes laid out in sequence for him. He is particular about his wardrobe, and regularly helps to choose the clothes for school. Concerning his eating habits, Mark is very selective about his food choices. Nonetheless, he eats from a balanced selection of fruits, vegetables, and meats. Mark does not like milk, but loves the occasional bowl of vanilla ice cream. Snacks are usually items that 'crunch' like dry cereal, or potato chips.
At home Mark is asked on occasion to run errands for the family. He feeds the fish, sets the diner table, and picks up his playthings without protest. Mark will share, but likes to be finished first. He cooperates exceptionally well at the doctor's office during appointments, and is visiting the dentist every two months to 'practice' becoming more comfortable under those circumstances (this is going well). In general, Mark likes to look at books in a very deliberate and focused manner. He sometimes flips the pages of books for stimulation, but this decreasing in frequency. Mark likes to be read to. The Charlie Brown Encyclopedia books are his favorite 'read with me' books.
Mark likes to go to the library to select books to take home. He knows the routine well, knows where the books are that are appropriate for him, and carefully screens through them to make his choice(s). Mark loves to go to the grocery store with Mrs. Hartmann. He participates in selecting the items that are particular to him, and enjoys going through the routine at the check-out counter. Mark also loves going to the mall to shop. He particularly likes the video outlets, and is extraordinarily careful of his video selections.
In the odds and ends category, Mark is totally independent in accessing programs on the home computer. He does not like to color or draw with a pencil. He does not like to build things with LEGO sets, but will if asked. Mark is a good swimmer and is showing progress in learning the back stroke. Mark swims twice weekly at minimum. Finally, Mark uses a variety of communication methods to express his wants and needs at home.