ADHD Child Case Study: Real-Life Example of ADHD in a School-Aged Child

Patient Information

• Age: 10
  
• Gender: Male
  
• Background: Abhinav (name changed to protect privacy), a 9-year-old boy from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is a happy and creative child in Class IV in an English-medium CBSE school. He has his parents and younger sister living with him. His father is employed in IT, and his mother is a homemaker. Though very bright, Abhinav was often in trouble at school for not listening, always interrupting others, and being unable to sit for even a few minutes.

History or Cause: An ADHD Child Case Study

Abhinav's parents initially observed behavioural issues when he was in Class I. He would interrupt others, forget assignments, misplace personal items, and frequently throw tantrums at the slightest provocation. His teachers at school also complained that he could not concentrate in class, was always restless, stood up from his seat frequently, and distracted others during lessons.

At home, even simple tasks such as brushing or finishing meals needed constant repetition and watching over. His impulsiveness had resulted in minor injuries during play or running about recklessly. Although his intelligence was never a question, his inability to sit still and focus started impacting his schoolwork and social interactions as well.

His parents at first attributed this to just "boys being boys," but when the problems kept on getting worse, they decided to see a paediatrician. He was referred to Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre in Delhi for a thorough psychological and behavioural evaluation.

Diagnosis - An ADHD Child Case Study

At Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre, a complete diagnostic evaluation was undertaken by a group of child psychiatrists, psychologists, and occupational therapists. This entailed:

• Parent and teacher interviews
• Questionnaires of behaviour
• Cognitive and developmental screening
• Observational sessions

Multidisciplinary evaluation and DSM-5 criteria indicated Abhinav to be suffering from:

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – Combined Type (Marked by inattentiveness as well as by hyperactivity-impulsivity)
• Mild Learning Difficulty as far as understanding while reading goes
• Sensory Processing Problems, leading to restlessness and continuous movement

The specialists mentioned that Abhinav's ADHD was neurodevelopmental rather than due to unsatisfactory parenting or lack of motivation. His brain had trouble regulating attention, impulse control, and motor activity.

Treatment: An ADHD Child Case Study at Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre

Approach:

Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre proposed a multimodal treatment strategy involving behaviour therapy, guidance to the parents, occupational therapy, scholastic intervention, and medication (non-stimulant related). It was custom-made according to Abhinav's special strengths and weaknesses and to equip both Abhinav and his family members with the necessary strategies for controlling ADHD efficiently.

Program:

Phase 1 – Stabilisation and Routine Formation (Weeks 1–4):

• Behavioural Therapy (BT) sessions to train Abhinav in emotion regulation, impulse control, and coping strategies.
• Parent Training sessions to educate parents about ADHD, apply positive reinforcement, and develop structure at home.
• Occupational Therapy to support fine motor coordination, sensory management, and games to build attention.
• A well-structured day-to-day routine was established to decrease anxiety and impulsive conduct.

Phase 2 – Skill Building and Academic Support (Weeks 5–8):

• Individualised Education Plan (IEP) support for school with suggestions for the teachers.
• Reading and understanding the support through enjoyable phonetic and story time sessions.
• Group play therapy to enhance peer relationships and social interaction skills.
• Ongoing behaviour therapy with visual reminders, reward charts, and token economy systems.

Weeks 6–8: Social Skills and School Reintegration

• Role-plays and simulation of social situations.
• Group play therapy with peers who were undergoing similar therapy to improve confidence.
• Encouraging communication sessions for the teachers of Abhinav to modify classroom strategy.

Phase 3 – Confidence Building and Independence (Weeks 9–12):

• Role-playing, games related to time management, and self-monitoring aids were introduced.
• Art therapy and activity-based work such as dancing and obstacle games to positively redirect energy.
• Family counselling sessions to resolve any frustrations and enhance home harmony.
• Regular feedback sessions with the school for effective implementation of strategies.

Medical Treatment (If any):

• Non-stimulant medication prescribed to enhance attention span and minimise impulsivity is closely monitored by the child psychiatrist.
• Nutritional Guidance to ensure a balanced diet high in Omega-3, protein, and fibre to support concentration and brain development.

Therapy Types:

• Behavioural Therapy (BT): Applied methods such as token economy, time-out, and self-monitoring charts.
• Occupational Therapy: Assisted in enhancing sensory modulation, motor planning, and handwriting skills.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Applied age-specific CBT strategies to enhance self-control and counteract impulsive thinking.
• Parent Management Training (PMT): Preparing parents to be consistent, establish routines, and employ positive discipline techniques.
• Art and Play Therapy: These non-verbal interventions assisted Abhinav in articulating his feelings and developing patience and cooperation.

Improvements/Recovery Timeline – An ADHD Child Case Study

Our Success: An ADHD Child Case Study at Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre

Impact on Abhinav’s Life:

Following 12 weeks of systematic and empathetic care at Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre, Abhinav improved significantly. He was now able to concentrate on one thing for longer periods, obey instructions, positively verbalise his feelings, and control his impulsive behaviour. His teachers at school were astonished at the improvement and complimented him on his efforts.

Abhinav's Mother Reported:

"Previously, making him do things was like a struggle. Now he is more composed, pays attention better, and even reminds me about his study routine! Jagruti has provided my son with a fresh start and brought back the tranquillity in our family."

Family and Community Impact:

Abhinav's change altered his life and introduced stability and insight into his household. His little sister indicated she felt less neglected. His dad mentioned that he had more in-depth interactions with Abhinav during nighttime walks and reading. Their relatives, who previously misunderstood Abhinav's behaviour, have become more understanding and accepting.

Future Steps

Abhinav continues to attend monthly follow-up sessions at Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre, where his progress is carefully monitored, and therapeutic strategies are reinforced. He follows a structured daily routine supported by task charts, visual aids, and timers to help with task completion and time management. Age-appropriate mindfulness practices, such as simple breathing exercises, are integrated into his day to enhance focus and self-regulation. 

Regular physical activities also play a key role in managing his excess energy. Additionally, Abhinav’s parents participate in quarterly training sessions to stay equipped to address new challenges. At school, a dedicated learning support teacher has been appointed to assist him, and as a result, Abhinav is now thriving both academically and socially.