8/10/2019 Mikaela Cohen_Behavioural Observational Report Final

1/2

Behavioural Observat ional Report :

Mikaela Cohen has been a learner at Beginnings and Beyond from April 2014 until September

2014 where she is currently completing her Grade Six year. During this time, myself and other

members of staff have had the opportunity to get to know Mikaela as a student in the classroom

environment. Therefore, this report serves as an informative review based on Mikaelas

developmental domains, namely cognitive, physical and social aspects.

In my experience as Mikaelas class teacher, I have noted that she shows developmental delays

in the cognitive domain, this includes language and attention skills. Mikaela does not

demonstrate the ability to sustain concentration on a particular task at hand and rarely manages

to complete demands that are not of an interest to her. Furthermore, based on my interactions

with her, it is apparent that Mikaela experiences difficultly in translating sounds into words.

Unfortunately, this has meant that Mikaelas vocabulary and spelling is not of a Grade Six

standard. It is also clear that Mikaela experiences delays in another aspect of cognitive

development, namely Executive functions, with specific reference to inhibitionthe ability to

withstand distraction, as well as internal urges. On numerous occasions Mikaela has become

distracted or is uninterested in what happens around her within the classroom environment and

thus, falls behind in classwork. Moreover, I myself have witnessed first-hand accounts of

Mikaelas internal urges towards her fellow class mates. These instances will be discussed in

greater detail further on with regards to Mikaelas social interactions with others.

With regards to Mikaelas physical aspects, we are aware of Mikaelas history with self-inflictedwounds, such as cutting. In addition to the above, Mikaela frequently exhibits self-inflicted

wounds but makes no effort to hide these wounds from other students. This includes carving

the words I hate myself above her knee, which she initially claimed was caused by her dog.

Mikaela was told that if she has any problems, she is to rather talk to one of the members of

staff than resort to self-inflicted harm. However, Mikaela has not chosen to do so. Furthermore,

the same use of words has also been seen on various pages of her examination pad.

I have unfortunately found Mikaelas social interactions with other students to often be

offensive and unpleasant. Mikaela is quick-tempered and often resorts to use of hurtful or

violent language towards the boys in her class. Based on my experience with the Grade Sixes it

would be accurate to say that Mikaelas comments towards the boys often result in conflict.

Sadly, it also seems apparent that Mikaela has no respect for authority. Upon my instruction for

both Mikaela and the other participant to stop, Mikaela unfortunately, continues to argue in

an effort to have the final say.

Mikaela also attracts attention to herself by drawing vivid images of blood or people dying

during the time which classwork is to be completed. Mikaela has made no effort to hide these

drawings from her fellow classmates. When students ask Mikaela why she is drawing this,

Mikaela replies with disturbing comments such as because thats what Im going to do.Various classmates have since come to me and have complained about M ikaelas comments.

8/10/2019 Mikaela Cohen_Behavioural Observational Report Final

2/2