Autistic Disorder

Type :

Case study

Pages :

6 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

05/10/2009

Category :

Social studies

Sub category :

Psychology

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Summary :

Introduction
Clinical history
DSM-IV-TR Diagnosis
Case formulation using the integrative Model
Treatment goals and planning
Course of treatment and treatment outcome
Discussion
References

Abstract

Thomas McKean was a 15-year-old boy attending junior high school when he was diagnosed with pervasive development disorder and placed in a psychological care facility. Since he was a young boy, Thomas and his family struggled with his condition and they were all unaware of the cause behind all of his symptoms. During his childhood, his behavioral and emotional problems included random violent outbursts, resistance to change, fear of groups, frequent sensory overloads, non-existent libido, lack of appetite and a tendency to randomly retreat into solitude. Furthermore, Thomas would often engage in ritualistic behavior such as spinning objects and taking apart and reassembling electronics. Ignorant to his autism, his parents would physically punish him whenever he misbehaved in an attempt to deter the behavior (McKean, 1994).
These symptoms stayed consistent throughout his childhood and they affected his ability to perform well in school and social situations. When his parents and teachers eventually became exhausted with his behavior, he was put in a full time psychological institution. Nevertheless, after his symptoms failed to change in the psychological institution Thomas was excused after three years. Thomas then demonstrated an inability to possess full time occupation and failed out of college on two occasions. While he managed to obtain his GED, Thomas was unable to function in a normal classroom setting, as normal teaching methods did not apply to him.