Running head: CASE STUDY PAPER
Case Study
Liberty University
CASE STUDY PAPER
Abstract
A hypothetical case study of an elementary age child with symptoms of autism spectrum
disorder (ASD) is presented. The results of parent, teacher, and child interviews are reviewed
and applied to research in etiology, prevalence, characteristics, prognosis, assessment tools,
intervention theories, social dynamics and support systems, and diagnosis according to the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – IV (DSM-5). Included in the appendix is the DSM-5 table
for assessing the severity of children with autism spectrum disorder. Intervention techniques are
reviewed and assessed on the most appropriate treatment course for the student. Both short-term
and long-term interventions are discussed. Goals are set with measurable and obtainable
objectives within a defined time period. Goals give suggestions on implementation. The overall
goal is self-care for the student and eventual independent living. Recommendations are given for
areas of possible comorbidity and future testing. The result is a sample case study that
demonstrates application of researched studies.
Keywords: Autism spectrum disorders,Case study,Etiology, Prevalence, Intervention,
Goals, Diagnosis, Severity DSM-5
CASE STUDY PAPER
Introduction
This case study uses scientific research from peer-related articles and books; however,
the student is a hypothetical example used to illustrate the application of the research collected.
Background
Joshua
Joshua is an eight-year-old boy in the third grade and lives with his adoptive parents and
six-year-old brother. He was removed from his biological mother’s care at the age of eight
months, with neglect and substance abuse by the mother being cited as the cause and justification
for removal. Over the next 12 months, Joshua was placed in two separate foster homes. At 20
months, Joshua was legally adopted by his current parents. Joshua’s younger sibling is also an
adopted child.
When first adopted, Joshua acted distant and unresponsive to his parent’s attention but
soon responded to the affection and affirmation they showed Joshua. At approximately 48
months, however, they began to notice a regression in Joshua’s social responses, especially in
relation to his emotions. In addition, there seemed to be a reversal in his speech, both in diction
and sentence structure. This is approximately the same time that his younger brother was
adopted.
Joshua’s parents attributed the change in behavior to sibling jealousy and believed that
eventually Joshua would realize they had enough love for both boys. They even wondered if the
change in speech patterns was Joshua’s way of trying to mimic the baby. As the boys progressed
over the next six years, Joshua’s parents have not seen a close relationship between the brothers,
as Joshua is usually quiet and stays to himself. His speech has shown only slow improvement,
and his younger brother appears to have more language skills than Joshua.
Document Outline
Abstract
Introduction
Background
Joshua
Interviews
Interview with parents.
Interview with teacher
Interview with Joshua
Risk and Protective Factors
Primary Concerns
Etiology
Prevalence
Diagnostic Criteria and Characteristics of ASD
Development and Prognosis
Social Dynamics and Support Systems
Assessment and Diagnosis of Joshua
Interviews
Testing
Diagnosis
Interventions and Goals
Pharmacological Treatment
Psychological Treatment
School Participation in Intervention
Long Term Intervention
Goals
Goal 1 - Speech Articulation. Joshua is currently having difficulty with articulation. His speech pathologist will work with him no less than one hour per week. His parents are to spend at least one hour per week reading to Joshua at his age-level rea...
Goal 2 - Social Relationships. Joshua is currently showing deficits in interacting with his peers and adults. He engages in social relationships approximately 30% of the time.
Goal 3 - Restrictive and Repetitive Behaviors. Currently Joshua has a fixation regarding dinosaurs, which doesn’t allow him to have back and forth conversations with others. He also demonstrates abnormal rigidity to schedules and methods of doing scho...
Goal 4– Spiritual. Joshua currently refuses to attend church due to excessive sensory stimulation.His church offers children’s worship services and age appropriate Sunday School classes, but the worship service is for about 200 children, and the Sunda...
The following are the goals for Joshua to achieve over a one year period of time: (1) attend children’s or adult worship four out of four Sundays, being allowed to skip the song service no more than two times a month, (2) attend a peer level Sunday Sc...
Conclusion and Future Recommendations
References