Autism Spectrum Disorder Case Study: Journey of a 5-year-old with an Autism Diagnosis
Patient Information:
Name: Aarav (Name changed for privacy)
Age: 5 years
Gender: Male
Background: Aarav comes from an affluent family in the suburbs of Bangalore, India. His father is a working professional in the IT sector, his mother is a homemaker, and he has an elder sister. Aarav comes from an affluent family that can provide him with basic healthcare and education. The family lives in the suburbs of Bangalore city. The family of four has the father working as an IT professional, the mother as a homemaker, an elder daughter currently aged 8 years old and Aarav, who is 5 years old. He is growing up in a loving and supportive family with relatives and family members who are caring and connected. Aarav was a healthy boy with no complications during pregnancy and birth. He also met most developmental milestones till he turned two years old.
History or Cause:
Aarav's parents started noticing abnormalities in his behaviour after he turned 2 years old. He would not respond to his name, avoided eye contact and couldn't communicate verbally. At first, the family thought he was a late talker, and as it happens, they started comparing him and his development with his sister. His sister had started speaking fluently very early.
However, Aarav started showing concerning behaviours after turning 2 years old. He showed extreme attachment to routines and would become irritable and have meltdowns when his routine was disrupted. It started to become an issue during travel and on occasion. His mother and teachers at preschool noticed that he did not like other kids and would prefer to play alone. He was not comfortable around others and would often get overwhelmed when forced to participate in social group activities.
Relatives tagged the behaviour simply as late development and asked the parents to be patient. However, the preschool teachers asked Aarav's parents to seek professional help and confirm whether there is anything to worry about.
Diagnosis:
Aarav's paediatrician referred him to a child psychologist. After this, his parents brought him to Jagruti Rehab in Hyderabad for diagnosis and treatment.
At Jagruti Rehab, we used a multi-layered diagnostic process. The process involved:
- Parent Interviews: Detailed conversations were held with the parents to understand and note down the patterns noticed so far in the patient in his behavioural, communication, and social interactions.
- Observation Sessions: Next, Aarav was observed in a clinical setting. Specialists observed his behaviour, how he interacted with objects, and his response to actions and stimuli.
- Standardised Tools Used: Other than the basic assessments, Aarav was assessed using standardised tools as well. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) were used to come to his diagnosis.
After two months of a detailed assessment process, we formally confirmed the following diagnosis: Aarav suffers from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – Level 2. He needed substantial support.
Treatment:
Approach:
Early intervention was the key to the treatment and the results. A multi-disciplinary team got together to design a personalised plan. They first set goals for them to focus on, which were:
- Improving communication and social skills
- Reducing problematic behaviours
- Enhancing cognitive development
- Preparing for school inclusion
Program:
The tailored treatment program designed by the team for Aarav included:
- Speech Therapy - 3 times/week for the improvement of language and expression
- Occupational Therapy (OT) - 2 times/week to improve motor skills and coordination with sensory organs
- Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) - Daily for behaviour modification and skill training
- Parent Training - weekly sessions for training and awareness
- Special Education Sessions - 4 times/week to prepare the child for school and improve cognitive growth
Medical Treatments :
Aarav has never shown any signs of aggression, hyperactivity, or sleep disturbances. So, medicines that were used to treat these extreme symptoms were not required in this case and thus were not prescribed.
Therapy:
Different types of therapy were used to help and assist Aarav, such as:
- Speech Therapy: Speech therapy was recommended to help Aarav build vocabulary. It helped him to express his thoughts and use different ways to communicate.
- ABA Therapy: Used reinforcement techniques to encourage desired behaviours such as following instructions, making eye contact, and initiating play.
- Occupational Therapy: The therapy helped to develop his sensory issues. For example, Aarav was sensitive to loud sounds and certain textures. Occupational therapy helped Aarav reduce his sensitivity and improve his hand-eye coordination.
- Play Therapy: Play therapy was used in all sessions to make learning enjoyable and reduce anxiety.
Improvements/Recovery Timeline:
| Week | Milestone Achieved |
|---|---|
| Week 1–2 | Initial assessments were done, and Aarav started settling into therapy routines. He was resistant to new environments initially, but slowly began to open up. |
| Week 3–4 | He started pointing to objects and uttering single words. His tolerance of therapy activities improved. |
| Month 2 | His tantrums reduced when routines changed. He started following 1-step instructions. |
| Month 3 | He started using picture cards to express needs. He also made eye contact during short interactions. |
| Months 4–5 | He started using 2-word combinations like “want juice” or “go outside.” He also initiated play with a therapist. |
| Month 6 | He enrolled in an inclusive preschool part-time with support from a shadow teacher. His social interaction improved. |
| Months 7–9 | Aarav demonstrated turn-taking skills, responded to his name consistently, and followed multi-step instructions. |
| Months 10–12 | He spoke in full sentences, made friends at school, and adapted to classroom routines. There was a significant reduction in sensory meltdowns. |
Our Success:
Impact on Patient's Life:
Aarav is now in first grade and goes to school with periodic shadow support. Aarav's speech and communication have improved significantly now. He participates in storytelling sessions and can express his thoughts, likes, and dislikes clearly. He does not react so much when his routine is changed. Also, he is more open to meeting people.
Aarav goes for occupational therapy sessions once a week and learns social skills. He has made significant progress and does not require daily ABA. He now enjoys drawing, listening to school music, and playing board games with his sister.
Family and Community:
Aarav's journey was not just transformational for him but also for his family. His parents learned about autism and learnt how to support their child at home. With the help of Jagruti Rehab, the parents became a part of a support group that consists of therapists, educators, and fellow parents.
His school has started organising workshops and training for teachers and students to spread awareness and create a supportive environment for Aarav and other children with similar needs.
Future Steps in the Autism Spectrum Disorder Case Study:
Aarav requires continued treatment and support with modified goals for Aarav's environment. The goals will shift towards developing social skills, regulating emotions, and academic independence. The expected plan:
- Continued Therapy Support
- School Coordination
- Life Skills Training, such as handling money, managing time, and performing simple household tasks.
- Enrollment in co-curricular activities for more social exposure.
Bottom Line
Autism cannot be cured, but it can be managed. This case study of a child with autism spectrum disorder shows that early intervention and continued support can be transformational. It helps the family and the autistic child to find their own voice and live a normal life.
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Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre is a leading facility specializing in mental health, dementia, and addiction recovery. The team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and caregivers is committed to empowering individuals on their journey to recovery.
