Abstract

This brief report presents a powerful case study that challenges prevailing assumptions about stagnation in older adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and severe Intellectual Disability (ID). Drawing on two complementary reports centered on the same 69-year-old woman, it highlights her remarkable progress and significant gains in personal autonomy assessed with Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II (VABS-II), and in cognitive, and socio-emotional domains assessed with Socio-emotional and Cognitive Evaluation Battery for Adults (SCEB-A) made through a two-year individualized intervention using the CHIPPS program. Even though the results are from a single participant, these findings challenge the longstanding assumption that developmental progress is limited or impossible in older adults with severe neurodevelopmental disorders.

Keywords:Senior woman with ASD and severe intellectual disability; Evolution of personal autonomy and cognitive and socio-emotional abilities; Socio-emotional and Cognitive Evaluation Battery for Adults (SCEB-A); Personalised support with CHIPPS program