Impact Stories – Parvathi

Parvathi was 2.5 years old and was referred to ASSA by local village health nurse. She was diagnosed with intellectual disability. Following initial assessment, the multidisciplinary rehab team at ASSA identified challenges in:

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Communication
Self-care
Cognition

Parents identified the following goals through COPM at baseline.

Wear undergarments
Colour with crayons
Following simple commands
Naming 10 common objects

Based on this, goals and treatment plan were co-created between parents and ASSA’s therapists.

Goal	Treatment
Color with a crayon within a given diagram	Holding crayon Coloring a diagram Scribbling a diagram
Name 10 common objects	Teach real common object Teach by flash cards Teach using pictures in book
Wearing undergarment	Point to the clothes Physically assisted learning Verbally assisted learning Teach by video
Follow simple commands	Create a situation Play activities like passing the ball, throw ball Listen to the word (Tata, give, come) Give positive reinforcement

After 6 months, Parvathi showed significant improvement in her development and the COPM was reassessed and the performance and satisfaction scores improved as seen below.

After 6 months, the parents identified the following goals using the COPM:

Wear undergarments
Speak three letter words
Counting numbers up to 10
Trace letters

The following plan was instituted:

Goal	Treatment
Counting the numbers up to 10 with object	Count the numbers orally Pickup objects and put inside a box
Trace the letters	Using clay activity Trace the letters in sand Trace the letters in different texture Trace (straight line – horizontal, vertical, square, curve, circle)
Speak three letter words	Using picture cards Visual feedback (using mirror) Teach to express their needs with modelling

After the next 6 month cycle, Parvathi showed significant improvement in her development and the COPM was reassessed and the performance and satisfaction scores improved as seen below.

Overall, Paravthi’s family caregiver strain decreased over time, family empowerement and program engagement increased. This case study highlights how a family centred approach with parents setting goals and co-creating plans with therapists, leads to better outcomes.