Scenario
- Shari has had several episodes of acute otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear), which is usually accompanied by pain and fever.
- When Shari is experiencing an episode of otitis media, she does not respond to speech from various positions in the classroom and makes frequent requests for verbal communications to be repeated.
- Shari’s teachers have become aware that during these episodes, she is experiencing a degree of hearing loss that can vary with the progress of the infection.
- Shari’s specialist has indicated that the hearing loss she is experiencing is in the mild–moderate category.
- Shari does not access or use signing.
- Shari’s speech perception is also affected, specifically her phonetic awareness, which has affected the development of her literacy skills.
Key points to consider
- Shari’s episodes of otitis media usually leave her in pain and/or with fever.
- These episodes directly impact Shari’s ability to perform to her utmost capacity (in learning and assessment), even when not experiencing an episode of otitis media
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NAPLAN adjustments relevant/applicable
If Shari experiences an episode of otitis media, it may be appropriate for her to access audio alternative items for the spelling test. Alternatively, if she can hear through the headphones, she can access the read-aloud parts of the test (spelling audio dictation, numeracy items, writing prompts) using headphones.
Rest breaks may be applicable if Shari is experiencing an episode of otitis media during the tests. In this case, Shari’s school determined that 10 minutes of rest breaks per half-hour of the test was appropriate because of Shari’s fluctuating condition and related pain.
If Shari experiences an acute episode of otitis media during the tests, it may be more appropriate to allow her to sit the test during a catch-up session. If she experiences an acute episode of otitis media during the entire test window, she can be marked absent.
As literacy is an issue, Shari is able to have all the test instructions and some questions read to her (see reading to students).
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Alternative format NAPLAN adjustments relevant/applicable
As for the online NAPLAN tests, if Shari experiences an acute episode of otitis media during the tests, it may be more appropriate to allow her to sit the test during a catch-up session. If she experiences an acute episode of otitis media during the entire test window, she can be marked absent.
Shari can continue to access rest breaks of 10 minutes per half-hour of the test because of her fluctuating condition and related pain. She can also have all test instructions and some test content (numeracy items, writing prompts) read to her (see reading to students).
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