Case Study: Raju (ADHD Example)
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Student Info: Raju is in 5th standard.
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Challenges:
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Has a hard time focusing in class.
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Daydreams and gets distracted, as noted by the teacher.
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Doesn’t turn in homework on time and struggles to complete school work before deadlines.
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Takes longer processing information and is often indecisive.
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Key ADHD Traits Highlighted:
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Difficulty sustaining attention.
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Poor time management.
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Trouble following through on tasks.
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Slower cognitive processing and decision-making.
The homework is maths, English and other subjects.
When a Child Walks Out of Class: Understanding Overwhelm
What can happen:
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Sometimes, children feel overwhelmed by schoolwork, noise, or pressure.
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They may walk out of class or leave the situation.
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This is not always misbehavior — it can be a way of coping with stress.
Why it happens:
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The child might find the work too hard (math, reading, writing).
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They might feel anxious or confused by instructions.
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Children with ADHD, anxiety, or learning differences may be more likely to feel overwhelmed.
What to do in the moment:
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Stay calm. Avoid shouting or punishing — the child is stressed.
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Ensure safety. Make sure they are safe and not in danger.
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Contact a trusted adult. Let a parent, guardian, or counselor know what happened.
Afterward:
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Talk to the child calmly and kindly. Ask:
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“What made it hard for you?”
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“How can we help next time?”
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Identify if extra support is needed, like:
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Adjusted workload or breaks
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Visual instructions or step-by-step help
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Quiet space to calm down
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Remember:
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Walking out is a signal, not defiance.
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With understanding and support, children can learn to manage stress and cope better.
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Small changes in the classroom or at home can make a big difference.
Who Could Be Involved? Do Not Assume
When a child walks out of class or school, do not assume the cause.
Possible Situations Include:
1. Child-to-Child Harm
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Bullying
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Physical aggression
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Name-calling or threats
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Online bullying affecting school
Why this matters:
Children may fear retaliation if they speak up.2. Staff-to-Child Harm
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Shouting or humiliation
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Threatening behaviour
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Physical or emotional abuse
Why this matters:
Children may be afraid to report adults in authority.3. Outside Person Risk
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A stranger entering school grounds
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Someone jumping a fence
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A known person who should not be on site
Why this matters:
Children may notice risks before adults do.What Schools Must Do
Investigate Properly
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Do not dismiss concerns
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Do not protect reputations over safety
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Check CCTV where lawful and appropriate
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Speak to the child away from others
Safeguarding Comes First
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If a child reports fear or harm, act immediately
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Follow safeguarding procedures
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Report concerns through the correct channels
Patterns Matter
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One incident may not stand alone
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Look for repeated behaviour
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Check if other children are affected
Important Safeguarding Message
A child leaving class or school is a warning sign.
The question is not “Who is to blame?”
The question is “Who needs protecting?”Accessible Case Study: Leaving Class or School Due to Overwhelm
Case Study: A (Example)
About A
A is a school-age child.
He usually tries to do what is asked of him.
What happened?
One day, a walked out of class.
Staff were worried and contacted his parent.
What adults first noticed:
A left without saying anything.
This was not bad behaviors, but something was upsetting and he was struggling to open up. What could be going on?
What was really happening for A:
A was feeling overwhelmed.
He felt he could not cope in that moment.
Possible reasons included:
Too much noise or pressure
Struggling with his schoolwork.
Feeling anxious, bullied, or unsafe.
Struggling to tell
Important understanding:
A was not trying to be naughty.
Walking out was his way of escaping stress.
This is a fight-or-flight response, not defiance.
Why some children leave the school building:
Some children feel so distressed they want to get away completely.
This can happen when there is:
Bullying
Abuse
Fear of being shouted at or embarrassed
Long-term unmet needs
In the past, many children were not believed or supported.
Today, we know better — and must respond differently.
What adults should do:
In the moment:
Stay calm
Make sure the child is safe
Do not shout or punish
Afterwards:
Listen to the child
Ask:
“What made it too much?”
“What would help next time?”
Look at support needs, such as:
Breaks or quiet space
Safer ways to ask for help
Support around bullying or learning difficulties
Key message:
Leaving class or school is a signal for help.
It does not mean the child is bad.
Support, belief, and understanding can prevent this from happening again.
Easy Read Safeguarding Case Study
Case Study: A Child Leaving School
About the child:
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The child is of school age.
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The child usually tries to follow rules.
What happened:
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The child felt overwhelmed.
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The child left the classroom.
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The child later left the school building.
What this could mean:
This behaviour is a warning sign.
It could be because of:
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Bullying by other children
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Harm or fear caused by a staff member
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A stranger or unsafe person on school grounds
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Anxiety, ADHD, autism, or learning difficulties
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Abuse or feeling unsafe
Do not assume the reason.
What adults must do straight away:
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Stay calm
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Make sure the child is safe
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Do not shout or punish
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Contact a parent or carer
Listening to the child:
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Give the child a chance to speak
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Listen without interrupting
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Believe what the child says
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Reassure the child they are not in trouble
Investigation and safety:
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Follow safeguarding procedures
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Report concerns to the right people
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Check cameras/CCTV where lawful
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Look for signs of bullying or abuse
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Ask if other children are affected
Privacy and protection:
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Respect the child’s privacy
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Share information only with staff who need to know
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Never ignore safety concerns
Key safeguarding message:
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Behaviour is communication
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Leaving school is a cry for help
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Safety is more important than blame
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Children must be protected and heard
Important reminder for schools:
If a child leaves class or school,
ask “What happened to this child?”not “What did this child do wrong?”
Why This Approach Protects Everyone
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Children feel believed
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Staff are protected by proper investigation
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Schools reduce risk and liability
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Harm is less likely to continue unseen.
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