ADHD case study

 

Case Study: Raju (ADHD Example)

• Student Info: Raju is in 5th standard.

• Challenges:

  • Has a hard time focusing in class.

  • Daydreams and gets distracted, as noted by the teacher.

  • Doesn’t turn in homework on time and struggles to complete school work before deadlines.

  • Takes longer processing information and is often indecisive.

• Key ADHD Traits Highlighted:

  • Difficulty sustaining attention.

  • Poor time management.

  • Trouble following through on tasks.

  • 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:

    • Sometimes, children feel overwhelmed by schoolwork, noise, or pressure.

    • They may walk out of class or leave the situation.

    • This is not always misbehavior — it can be a way of coping with stress.

    Why it happens:

    • The child might find the work too hard (math, reading, writing).

    • They might feel anxious or confused by instructions.

    • Children with ADHD, anxiety, or learning differences may be more likely to feel overwhelmed.

    What to do in the moment:

    1. Stay calm. Avoid shouting or punishing — the child is stressed.

    2. Ensure safety. Make sure they are safe and not in danger.

    3. Contact a trusted adult. Let a parent, guardian, or counselor know what happened.

    Afterward:

    • Talk to the child calmly and kindly. Ask:

      • “What made it hard for you?”

      • “How can we help next time?”

    • Identify if extra support is needed, like:

      • Adjusted workload or breaks

      • Visual instructions or step-by-step help

      • Quiet space to calm down

    Remember:

    • Walking out is a signal, not defiance.

    • With understanding and support, children can learn to manage stress and cope better.

    • 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

      • Bullying

      • Physical aggression

      • Name-calling or threats

      • Online bullying affecting school

      Why this matters:
      Children may fear retaliation if they speak up.

      ---

      2. Staff-to-Child Harm

      • Shouting or humiliation

      • Threatening behaviour

      • Physical or emotional abuse

      Why this matters:
      Children may be afraid to report adults in authority.

      ---

      3. Outside Person Risk

      • A stranger entering school grounds

      • Someone jumping a fence

      • 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

      • Do not dismiss concerns

      • Do not protect reputations over safety

      • Check CCTV where lawful and appropriate

      • Speak to the child away from others

      Safeguarding Comes First

      • If a child reports fear or harm, act immediately

      • Follow safeguarding procedures

      • Report concerns through the correct channels

      Patterns Matter

      • One incident may not stand alone

      • Look for repeated behaviour

      • 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:

      • The child is of school age.

      • The child usually tries to follow rules.

      ---

      What happened:

      • The child felt overwhelmed.

      • The child left the classroom.

      • The child later left the school building.

      ---

      What this could mean:

      This behaviour is a warning sign.

      It could be because of:

      • Bullying by other children

      • Harm or fear caused by a staff member

      • A stranger or unsafe person on school grounds

      • Anxiety, ADHD, autism, or learning difficulties

      • Abuse or feeling unsafe

      Do not assume the reason.

      ---

      What adults must do straight away:

      • Stay calm

      • Make sure the child is safe

      • Do not shout or punish

      • Contact a parent or carer

      ---

      Listening to the child:

      • Give the child a chance to speak

      • Listen without interrupting

      • Believe what the child says

      • Reassure the child they are not in trouble

      ---

      Investigation and safety:

      • Follow safeguarding procedures

      • Report concerns to the right people

      • Check cameras/CCTV where lawful

      • Look for signs of bullying or abuse

      • Ask if other children are affected

      ---

      Privacy and protection:

      • Respect the child’s privacy

      • Share information only with staff who need to know

      • Never ignore safety concerns

      ---

      Key safeguarding message:

      • Behaviour is communication

      • Leaving school is a cry for help

      • Safety is more important than blame

      • 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

      • Children feel believed

      • Staff are protected by proper investigation

      • Schools reduce risk and liability

      • Harm is less likely to continue unseen.