ABA FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: A CLINICAL CASE STUDY

Abstract

This case study explores the assessment and intervention process with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for a 6-year-old male child. The child is presented with complaints of a lack of attention to the environment, lack of eye contact, deficient social communication skills, reactivity, and rigidity. The child was assessed with informal and formal assessments. Formal assessment includes The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and Portage Guide for Early Education (PGEE), and informal assessment was also carried out. Formal, informal, and clinical interviews result in the diagnosis of ASD (mild-moderate severity level) requiring support in the social domain. The intervention of 20 sessions primarily focused on behavior therapy techniques, incorporating strategies such as Discrete trial training, differential reinforcement, shaping, and prompts. These techniques aimed to address the Child's challenges related to eye contact, social communication, reactivity, and rigidity. Post-assessment results revealed a significant reduction in attention-seeking behaviors, suggesting a positive trend in his responsiveness to behavioral interventions. This case study highlights the effectiveness of behavior therapy techniques in addressing specific challenges associated with autism spectrum disorder, emphasizing the importance of tailored interventions to enhance social functioning in individuals with ASD.