Challenges to Achievements

11 years old child from Bahrain was diagnosed with Mild Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) two months ago. The child currently demonstrates limited sitting tolerance, reduced responsiveness to instructions, frequent self-absorbed behavior, and difficulties with comprehension.

Parents’ Primary Concerns and Expectations:

Improvement in sitting tolerance

Development of communication skills

Enhancement of social behavior

Consistent command following

Reduction in fixations

Management of anger and emotional regulation

Reduction of sensory overload

Diagnostic Summary (Key Areas):
? Significant hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention.
? Mild Autism traits: social reciprocity, communication delays, and repetitive
behavior.
? Developmental delays in adaptive functioning (VSMS SQ: 60.9).
? Emotional reactivity and low frustration tolerance.
? Sensory avoiding behavior and poor proprioception.

Achievements in Occupational/ Behavioural therapy

Demonstrated improved attention in structured activities, such as obstacle walks.

Successfully achieved command following during therapy sessions.

Shows progress in waiting concepts during physical activities, which is also observed at home (as reported by the mother).

Has developed the ability to complete pushing, pulling, and hanging tasks, supporting proprioceptive sensory input needs.

Fixation behaviors have reduced significantly.

Now consistently seeks permission before acting within clinical settings, indicating improved self-regulation.

Achievements in Speech Therapy

Able to answer daily routine questions.

Has achieved comprehension and use of WH-questions; now independently attempts What and Who questions.

Demonstrated understanding of time concepts.

Successfully answers Yes/No questions in complex forms.

Identified and recalled different seasons and corresponding clothing.

Able to form simple sentences with correct grammar.