Child Mental Health Nursing Case Report on Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Clinical Assessment and Nursing Management Plan

Manisha Sehgal — 2026-10-13

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent differences in social communication and interaction and by restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior.

Design and Setting: This is a single-patient case report prepared according to the CARE reporting guideline, describing a child evaluated at the Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP), Ranchi, a tertiary psychiatric institute.

Case Presentation: A 7-year-old boy presented with delayed developmental milestones, limited eye contact, marked difficulty with verbal communication, high activity levels, aggression toward peers and their mother, and self-injurious behavior (head banging, self-biting).

Assessment: The Developmental Screening Test (DST) gave a Developmental Age (DA) of 46 months (Developmental Quotient [DQ] 55) and the Vineland Social Maturity Scale (VSMS) gave a Social Age (SA) of 48 months (Social Quotient [SQ] 57), at a chronological age of about 84 months. The Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA) total score was 112, within the range classified as moderate autism; the corresponding disability percentage is an indicative estimate, not a certified rating.

Intervention and Outcome: The child received speech and occupational therapy for about one year (2022–2023). Clinicians and parents reported gains in 2–3-word phrases, motor coordination and comfortable engagement, while social, sensory and behavioral difficulties persisted. Standardized assessments were not repeated, so change could not be quantified. A nine-problem, priority-based nursing care plan was formulated, addressing safety, behavioral support, sensory regulation, communication, and parental psychoeducation.

Limitation: As a single case without post-intervention standardized scores, the findings cannot be generalized and do not establish treatment effectiveness.

Conclusion: This case illustrates how standardized assessment can inform a structured, family-centred nursing care plan for a child with ASD. The implementation and effect of the plan were not evaluated, so no conclusion about effectiveness can be drawn; the report underlines the value of follow-up with repeated measurement.

Prevalence of Dysmenorrhea among School Students in Selected Schools, Palakkad, Kerala

Lavanya — 2026-09-30

Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common menstrual problems among adolescent girls and significantly affects their daily activities and academic performance. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among school students and to determine its association with selected socio-demographic variables in a selected school in Palakkad district, Kerala. A quantitative research approach with a non-experimental descriptive design was adopted. The study was conducted among 100 adolescent girls studying in classes 7, 8, and 9 who had attained menarche. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire consisting of demographic variables and questions related to dysmenorrhea and associated symptoms. The findings revealed that 80% of the participants experienced dysmenorrhea, indicating a high prevalence among school-going adolescent girls. Among the 80 participants who experienced dysmenorrhea, 47 (58.75%) reported moderate-intensity pain, which was commonly experienced during the first 1–2 days of menstruation. Common associated symptoms included fatigue, irritability, mood swings, lack of concentration, and difficulty in academic activities. The Chi-square test showed no statistically significant association between the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and selected socio-demographic variables such as age, dietary pattern, and sleeping pattern (p > 0.05). The study concludes that dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among adolescent girls and has a considerable impact on their physical comfort and academic performance. The findings highlight the need for school-based health education, early identification, and appropriate management strategies to improve menstrual health and overall well-being among adolescent girls.

International Journal of Neonatal Care and Pediatric Nursing

Child Mental Health Nursing Case Report on Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Clinical Assessment and Nursing Management Plan

Prevalence of Dysmenorrhea among School Students in Selected Schools, Palakkad, Kerala