The dialogue between the school and the speech therapy clinic in the case of a child with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Abstract

The child diagnosed with ASD, in general, in addition to being in regular education, is welcomed in specialized service centers and clinics. These spaces are important for the development of the child and a closer partnership with the school enhances both the practices that take place in the school and in the clinic. Considering the importance of dialogue between the speech therapy clinic and the school, the following objectives were established: to analyze whether there was dialogue between the speech therapy clinic and the school throughout the therapeutic process of a child diagnosed with ASD and, also, the implications of this dialogue for the process of inclusion of the subject in regular education. This is a qualitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study. It was carried out from the study of the clinical and school history of a female child, with a medical diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Data production was carried out from the analysis of medical records and semi-structured interviews with social actors and actresses who lived and participated directly in the child’s schooling process. Data analysis showed that the contact between the clinic and the school was made possible especially by the child’s mother, especially within the clinic. However, a dialogue that actually contributes to the inclusion process is a practice yet to be mutually constructed.