Autism Spectrum Disorder Case Study

Background-Sarah is a 22 month old functioning at a level much below her chronological age. Sarah has been evaluated twice regarding her symptoms, and at the time of the 2nd evaluation, she was too young for a formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Sarah does though, present with many of the common symptoms associated with ASD and she is essentially non-verbal. Sarah has a multitude of goals, both short term and long term to increase her level of functional communication. There are three main areas that need to be addressed. They include improving pragmatic skills, improving receptive language and improving expressive language.

Strengths-
Sarah has many strengths as a 22 month old. She has motor functions within the
Sarah has multiple deficits and delays that need to be addressed immediately in therapy. Sarah has speech and language milestone delays. Sarah presents with deficits in pragmatic skills, expressive language and receptive language. Pragmatically, Sarah does not use communicative gestures when she desires something. Sarah is also unable to respond to joint attention, even when pointing was used simultaneously and she is unable to hold proper eye contact. In expressive language, Sarah cannot communicate her needs effectively. In receptive language, Sarah does not respond to her name, nor does she respond to simple one step directions such as sit down.

Sarah has strengths and weaknesses that were carefully evaluated by the clinician. After they were evaluated, three long-term goals were made to target Sarah’s deficits. The short term goals that were created, look to Sarah’s interests and highlight her strengths so she will find success in the short term goals and in the future, the long term goals will be more attainable.

Long Term Goal #1- Sarah will pair communicative gestures with eye contact when requesting and protesting in all social settings 80% of the time with minimal