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Case report: Preemptive intervention for an infant with early signs of autism spectrum disorder during the first year of life

Authors :
Costanza Colombi
Natasha Chericoni
Stefania Bargagna
Valeria Costanzo
Raffaella Devescovi
Flavia Lecciso
Caterina Pierotti
Margherita Prosperi
Annarita Contaldo
Source :
Frontiers in Psychiatry, Vol 14 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2023.

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes neurodevelopmental conditions traditionally considered to bring life long disabilities, severely impacting individuals and their families. Very early identification and intervention during the very first phases of life have shown to significantly diminish symptom severity and disability, and improve developmental trajectories. Here we report the case of a young child showing early behavioral signs of ASD during the first months of life, including diminished eye contact, reduced social reciprocity, repetitive movements. The child received a pre-emptive parent mediated intervention based on the Infant Start, an adaptation of the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), specifically developed for children with ASD signs during the first year of life. The child here described received intervention from 6 to 32 months of age, in combination with educational services. Diagnostic evaluations performed at several time points (8, 14, 19, and 32 months) showed progressive improvements in his developmental level and ASD symptoms. Our case study supports the possibility of identifying ASD symptoms and providing services as soon as concerns emerge even during the first year of life. Our report, in combination with recent infant identification and intervention studies, suggests the need for very early screening and preemptive intervention to promote optimal outcomes.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
16640640
Volume :
14
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.67d9f420523c48ffbbb74a3d633eda57
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1105253