BEHAVIOR OBSERVATIONS
Testing behavior: Scott needed to be walked into the testing room by a staff member. Per administration protocol for each assessment, Scott was provided breaks to complete the assessment items. Scott often stood during testing and at times would pace before answering a question. He made comments not related to the test items that were derogatory in nature towards the examiner. Testing had to be suspended one day when Scott tried to hit the examiner. Testing took place over multiple days.
Behavior rating scales and interview:
Formal assessment: Behavior Assessment Scale for Children (BASC)
Clinically significant ratings in the areas of:
· Hyperactivity (excessive movement, acts without thinking, calls out in group activities, interrupts adults when he wants something)
· Aggression (threatens to hurt others, hits others, breaks and wrecks things of others)
· Depression (e.g., moods change quickly, easily frustrated and upset, pouts, screams “That’s not fair”)
· Attention problems (e.g., gives up easily, short attention span, easily distracted)
· Withdrawal (e.g., plays alone, refuses to talk, avoids activities with others)
· Atypicality (stares blankly, seems out of touch with reality, repeats thoughts over and over, sings or hums to self, and hears or sees things that are not there)
Home: Scott’s mother and father state he is non-compliant and often displays the behaviors noted in the BASC. He does enjoy video games and computers. He has been fixated on these two activities from an early age.
School: His teacher states he is rarely absent, frequently aggressive, and often noncompliant. Academically, she thinks he is on par with same-age peers. However, his refusal to do work does make it hard for her to gauge.