Early speech therapy intervention in language development in the Autism Spectrum Disorder: parental perception

Abstract

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder- ASD is manifested by changes in behavior, language and socialization. In light of this symptomatology, one of the featured areas in the intervention of these symptoms is the Speech-Language therapy, since early intervention has been showing improved results for these clinical conditions. Objective: to typify the perception of parents in regards to early SpeechLanguage therapy intervention results in the language development of ASD children. Method: semistructured interview with ten parents of ASD-diagnosed children, who started early Speech-Language therapy intervention, between two and three years of age, and who would receive assistance from the CER II/UNIVALI for the same year of the data collection. Results: the majority of parents described development in receptive language aspects, verbal and non-verbal communication, behavior and socialization. A variance in the described developments was observed in most categories. Feedbacks from parents have indicated their acknowledgment for the multi-professional healthcare team. Conclusion: Early Speech-Language therapy intervention in ASD individuals presents positive results regarding aspects of receptive language, expressive language, behavior and socialization. The ability of the multiprofessional healthcare working team emerged as an important and quite significant finding in the parental statements. Keywords: Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences; Language; Autistic Disorder.