Case Study: J
Our son, J was diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of 3 years 10 months by Bimal in 2009. J wrote the following paragraph:
“Uncle Bimal is helpful. He is strict, firm and do proper regulations that is helpful for me. My Mum and Dad would tell him, if something does not go right with me. On my part, I would ask him about stuff I not sure about. I would also talk to him about random stuff. He would tell jokes to me, if I’m sad or not happy.”
J’s Presentation
I first met J when he was 3 years of age. Back then he presented as a child who would initiate interaction but only for his needs. He was highly resistant to parental guidance and this was exhibited by his controlling and disengaging behaviour where attempts would be made, on his part, to terminate the interaction. J was unable to initiate any form of interaction with his parents.
Initial Goals for J
Forming the Master Apprentice Relationship
As J exhibited a certain amount of resistant and dysregulatory behaviour, this made it hard for him to take his parents’ guidance and to function as an apprentice to his family. The focus was on making sure that J was regulated and that he was accepting of his parents’ guidance in daily structured lifestyle scenarios. The family was encouraged to incorporate RDI® into their daily lifestyle where specifically they slowed down, changed their communication style to make it more experience sharing and also looked at setting up guiding moments where J was able to take their mentoring.
Presently
Working with J and his family over the last 13 years has been a pleasure and he has developed well through his parents’ guidance and consistency. After completing PSLE, J did well enough to transition to a mainstream Secondary school from Pathlight School. J continues to grow and flourish under the services of REACh and the RDI® programme.