Problem behaviour or just a communication breakdown?

Abstract

Ashley is a young child of 4 years of age who had received a confirmed diagnosis of cerebral palsy from a paediatrician. As a result of his physical impairment, Ashley required a wheelchair for mobility. He had also been diagnosed with epilepsy and a mild visual impairment. Ashley lived at home with his mother, father, and 6-month-old sister. He attended a local non-government preschool with 19 other children, 3 mornings per week, and also received monthly therapy services from a community service agency. The preschool was set up as a two classroom unit. That is, there were two separate classes, each with a teacher and a teacher assistant. Ashley was enrolled in Miss B's class. Although Ashley's teacher had been working at this unit for the past 5 years, she had had no experience with a child with a severe communication impairment. Nonetheless, Miss B had happily accepted Ashley into her class.