Longitudinal Observation of the Psychosocial and the Intellectual Development of a Patient with Autism

Abstract

The article describes the experience of observation and medical support of a patient with Kanner’s syndrome from an early age to 27 years in the framework of complex medical, psychological and educational support. Long-term medical and psycho-educational support and family work allowed the patient to develop social skills and artistic abilities. The positive dynamics of intellectual and aesthetic development, smoothing of negative behavioral characteristics of the patient are demonstrated. The importance of joint well-coordinated work of a psychiatrist, speech therapist-special teacher, psychologist and parents is emphasized. The complex of rehabili- tation measures of professionals and parents gave a positive result: the young man is socialized and no longer needs special continuous medical and psychological support. As part of the supported employment, he attends an art workshop at the monastery and is engaged in painting. His personal exhibition had success. Such cases are an incentive for the constant active work of parents and teachers with children with severe forms of autistic disorders, and for the development of new effective methods of treatment, habilitation and rehabilitation, espe- cially in difficult to manage cases.