Parents of a 2.5-year-old child recently diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder · seeking counseling about the diagnosis, treatment options, and long-term outlook.
Task: Provide comprehensive counseling covering DSM-5 criteria, evidence-based therapies, and prognosis.
Doctor: “Good morning. I'm Dr. Hassan. I've been reviewing your child's developmental assessment. I have some information to share with you. Is that okay?”
Mother: “Yes, we're very worried. What's going on?”
Doctor: “The assessment shows that your child has Autism Spectrum Disorder. This means your child has differences in social communication and may have some repetitive behaviors or intense interests.”
Father: “How do you know? Is it a blood test?”
Doctor: “The diagnosis is based on careful observation and structured assessments (like the ADOS-2). We look at how your child communicates, interacts, and plays. There is no blood test for ASD, but we do recommend genetic testing as part of the workup.”
Mother: “What can we do to help our child?”
Doctor: “Early intervention is the most important step. The most effective therapy is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) — about 15-25 hours per week. We'll also involve speech therapy and occupational therapy. Many children make significant progress with these therapies.”
Father: “Will our child ever live a normal life?”
Doctor: “ASD is a lifelong condition, but outcomes are very variable. With early and intensive support, many children develop good communication skills, attend school, and some live independently. We will work with you every step of the way.”
Doctor: “Please take this information. And call us anytime if you have more questions.”