CBT for depression for an autistic older adult in an inpatient mental health setting

This case report describes a CBT intervention for depression with an 86-year-old man with high autistic traits, on an inpatient acute mental health ward. The intervention focused on understanding his needs better, which included screening for autism and incorporating understanding of his autistic traits into his formulation. CBT included behavioural activation and cognitive restructuring, specifically targeting black-and-white thinking. A key aspect of this intervention was building a strong therapeutic alliance and including adaptations for autistic traits, such as clear communication, visual aids, and session pacing. Behavioural activation aimed to increase his engagement in meaningful activities, while cognitive restructuring addressed rigid thinking patterns. This approach led to improvements in the client’s mood and enhanced the quality of his social interactions.