Suggestions

Permission for Use

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Case Study

Treatment

Shortly after his diagnosis, in addition to working with his speech/language therapist, he began participating in occupational therapy to address sensory issues and applied behavior analysis (ABA) 20 hours per week to promote adaptive skills and decrease tantrum behaviors.

His therapists each worked on some individual skills with overlap among skills as well.

His speech/language therapist worked on using sign language as well as a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and his ability to communicate gradually improved. He now speaks in short utterances to get his needs across without these. His speech/language therapist also worked on social skills with Joey.

His occupational therapist also worked on daily living skills and consulted with his classroom teacher to assist with sensory behavior so that they interfered as little as possible with his participation in the general classroom. Being in the classroom provided him with the opportunity to model the social interaction and skills of his peers and to put into practice what he was learning with therapists.

His ABA therapist also worked on developing speech as well as on requesting help and preferred items, and daily living skills such as toilet training.