Análise dos efeitos de um plano educacional individualizado no desenvolvimento acadêmico e funcional de um aluno com transtorno do espectro do autismo

Given the paradigm of inclusive education, the presence of students with autism spectrum disorder in regular schools has become more significant in recent years. Studies have revealed, however, deficits in academic participation of these students in these settings. Among the factors contributing to this phenomenon include poor teacher training and the lack of strategies to promote curriculum access. The aim of this study was to develop an instrument that would promote academic inclusion of a student with autism through procedures that could simultaneously empower the teacher. In this perspective, the study aimed to analyze the effects of an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), developed collaboratively with teachers, on the academic and functional development of a student with autism in an early childhood education setting. Data were collected in a private school located in the city of Natal in Rio Grande do Norte, in the course of the academic year 2012. In addition to the student with autism, one teacher, a specialized educator, and four teacher aides participated in the study. The research used a single subject quasi-experimental design (AB) as well as qualitative methods of data analysis. The study was conducted in three phases: characterization, baseline and intervention. The first comprised interviews with the child´s parents and teachers, as well as the identification of two routines focus of intervention. In the second phase, the amount of time the student spent engaged in the selected routines during baseline was analyzed. In the third phase, the researcher prepared, collaboratively with the teachers, an individualized educational plan (IEP) for the student. Finally, the IEP was implemented by the teachers. The results indicated qualitative and quantitative changes in student´s participation in academic and functional tasks after the intervention program

Aplicabilidade do Rorshach na avaliação psicológica do autismo

This study investigates the applicability of the Rorschach Method for evaluating the personality of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).The relevance of this study is justified by the limited number of investigations published in the research literature concerning the use of psychological tests used for evaluating the personality of individuals with ASD. The Rorschach Method was chosen as an appropriate instrument considering it reveals the personality s basic structure, including characteristics of the affectivity, sensuality, inner life, mental resources, psychic energy and general characteristics and intellectual state of the individual. The general objective of this investigation consisted of verifying the applicability of the use the Rorschach Method in the evaluation of the characteristics of people's personality with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).The study also sought to identify perceptive factors of the personality structure of individuals with ASD, provide contributions of the understanding of this syndrome, seeking the establishment of possible therapeutic interventions starting from diagnostic by Rorschach Method. In addition, this investigation aims at verifying the adequacy of using the Rorschach Method as an instrument for evaluating the personality characteristics of individuals with ASD and its possible use in Brazil, starting from preliminary normative results. Participants consisted of 44 youngsters and adults, both genders with age range 14 - 39 years-old (average: 23.5 years-old) distributed in 2 groups. Group 1: composed with 22 youngsters and adults with clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (communication impairments, social interaction deficits, restricted and repetitive interests and activities); Group 2: composed with 22 youngsters and adults with typical behavior. The participants were paired to gender and age, individually. The Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests were applied to evaluate statistical differences between the groups, considering demographic and social data. The results indicate the presence of restricted interest or difficulty in the expression of the social and affective interaction of people with ASD. However, the need of broader normative studies concerning the use of personality evaluation instruments for people with ASD is warranted. These investigations could help understand the psychic dynamism of this population, offering subsidies that can be added to the current techniques of diagnosis. The Rorschach Method is susceptible to application but it is necessary to respect the individual limitations of these people and to establish more criterions about the spectrum

A criança com transtorno do espectro autista (TEA) e o professor: uma proposta de intervenção baseada na experiência de aprendizagem mediada (EAM)

The presence of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in regular schools has increased and with it, the need to develop interventional strategies that enhance their learning. One of the tools that can facilitate this process is Mediated Learning, defined as an interaction style where the teacher selects, modifies, enhances, and interprets environmental stimuli in order to promote student learning. In recent years several studies have used the Mediated Learning Experience Scale (MLE; Lidz, 1991) as a tool to assess the mediator behavior. These studies have suggested that the EAM Scale can provide important guidelines for planning educational interventions, particularly those involving students with special needs. In order to extend these findings, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of an intervention based on the Mediated Learning Experience on social / academic skills of a child with ASD, enrolled in the 4th grade of a regular elementary school. This collaborative study was held in the city of Parnamirim, state of Rio Grande do Norte, in 2014. A 9-year old boy with ASD and his teacher participated in the study. The research used a quasi-experimental A-B design (baseline and treatment) to evaluate the teacher's behavior. Qualitative procedures were also used to analyze the dyad´s responses. Teacher and student behaviors were observed in three school routines during baseline. Based on the results of this phase, a training program was designed for the teacher. Dyad behavior was analyzed again after training in the same routines. The results of this phase showed qualitative and quantitative changes in levels of teacher mediation. Additionally, data indicated that the child enhanced his social and academic skills during the intervention.

Efeitos de um programa de intervenção precoce baseado no modelo mais que palavras - HANEN, para crianças menores de três anos com risco de autismo

In the last decades, studies on early intervention involving children with autism have suggested that there is no single intervention model capable of addressing the needs of all individuals in the spectrum. The role of parents as active intervention agents is, however, highly recommended. The More Than Words-HANEN Program has been specifically created for parents of children, under five years of age, who are in the autism spectrum. This intervention aims at improving the social competence and language comprehension of the child, as well as their parents empowerment. Until now only three studies have been performed in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the HMTW program. The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the effects of an early intervention program inspired on HMTW model on the level of caregiver responsiveness and child communication skills. The present study adds to the existing research literature on family-centered early intervention that uses a developmental paradigm. A two year boy in risk for autism, his mother and nanny took part in this investigation, which was carried out in the child´s home in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte. The caretakers were given one fifty-two hours of training, divided into thirteen weekly meetings. A quasi-experimental A-B-C design (baselineintervention- follow-up) showed improvement in the caretakers level of responsiveness and meaningful social-communicative gains in the child´s response