ABSTRACT
Patrick is a 7-year-old Irish boy who has autism and the associated behaviours of delayed social and communication skills. Patrick has three older siblings, a sister who is 9 years old and two brothers who are 11 and 13 years old respectively. He has a more engaging relationship with his sister than with his brothers, and his mother believes this is due to his sister being more patient with Patrick favouring the repetition of tasks over and over again. Patrick’s father works as an estate agent selling houses in the main town; his mother does not work. Patrick’s mother takes him to school every morning and collects him at the end of each day.
