Research summaries for autism therapy: case study

definition of case study: Intensive study of a single child with the intention of generalizing the findings to a larger population.
|

Effective Methylphenidate Treatment of an Adult Aspergers Syndrome and a Comorbid ADHD: A Clinical Investigation with fMRI, Summarized Nov 9, 2010

Methylphenidate may help adults who are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Asperger syndrome.

This case study presents an adult patient with ADHD and Aspergers syndrome. The 26-year old man had had problems since childhood with making and keeping social contacts. The authors note that when an adult has both ADHD and Aspergers syndrome the case may be complex and hard to diagnose. This is because both ADHD and Aspergers syndrome may result in poor social skills and lack of attention. In the case of this patient, treatment with methylphenidate improved his ability to function and reduced his ADHD symptoms.

Read more...

A Classroom-Based Antecedent Intervention Reduces Obsessive–Repetitive Behavior in an Adolescent with Autism, Summarized Oct 28, 2010

Providing leisure activities may distract children with autism from long-terms habits of obsessively rearranging objects.

Many people with autism insist on sameness and do not like change. This case study was aimed at seeing if structured leisure time would help a student (15-year-old boy) with autism to spend less time moving the objects on his desk. This treatment approach was an antecedent intervention that gave the student a chance to do his behavior at a time when it was okay with the teacher. The treatment approach reduced obsessive-compulsive behavior and also caused the child to be more social in the classroom. The authors suggested that this treatment approach may be helpful for children with autism and repetitive behaviors.

Read more...

Enhanced Independence and Quality of Life Through Treatment with Flotation-Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique of a Patient with Both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Asperger Syndrome: A Case Report, Summarized Sep 7, 2010

Flotation tanks may be a useful tool for calming the nervous system and helping with sensory integration in adults with Asperger syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

This case study describes an adult with Asperger syndrome and ADHD who was treated with flotation-Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique (flotation-REST). The 36-year old woman from Sweden also had depression. She was given 19 sessions over a year and at the end felt that she was better able to live life on her own. With time she learned to control how alert she was (arousal control). She also learned to control how active she was (activity regulation). Her senses relaxed and she became better at sensory integration.

Read more...

Treatment of Chronic Skin-Picking in an Adolescent with Asperger Syndrome and Borderline Intellectual Disability, Summarized Jul 27, 2010

Use of bandages and other applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques may be helpful in stopping skin picking in people with autism.

Skin-picking is diagnosed when the patient pulls, scratches, or gouges healthy skin in a way that causes damage. This case study describes the use of ABA to treat skin-picking in a 17-year-old girl with Asperger syndrome. The treatment was done in one session per month over the course of eight months. The treatment approach was benign, easy, and could be done with just monthly contact with the patient. The authors note that they did not look closely to see what was causing the girl to pick her skin.

Read more...

Showing 1-4 of 69 results
|