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https://revistacefac.org.br/article/doi/10.1590/1982-0216/202325311122
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Case Reports

Development of communication skills in an adolescent with autism, using alternative communication: a case report

Desenvolvimento das habilidades comunicacionais em adolescente autista com uso de comunicação alternativa: relato de caso

Ana Cristina de Albuquerque Montenegro; Gabrielle Araújo Leite; Daniele Albuquerque Alves de Moura; Amanda Gabrielly Santana Silva; Ivana Arrais de Lavor Navarro Xavier; Rafaella Asfora Lima

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216/202325311122 Revista CEFAC, vol.25, n3, e11122, 2023
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Abstract

Alternative communication has been successfully used in interventions to develop communication skills in children with ASD. However, few studies in Brazil have approached nonverbal adolescents with autism. This article aimed to demonstrate the impact of using an alternative communication system on the development of communication skills in a nonverbal adolescent presented with ASD. This is a single-case study with longitudinal intervention. Skills were assessed with the Communication Assessment in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ACOTEA). There was progress in communicative and behavioral skills. Receptive communications had a greater variation between the first, second, and third applications, increasing from 50% to 66.60% and then 83.30%, followed by social behavior, which increased from 45.80% to 70.80% and then 75%. The use of alternative communication with a robust communication system indicated evidence of the development of communication skills and social behavior in the adolescent with ASD that received the treatment.

Keywords

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Communication; Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences; Self-Help Devices; Communication Aids for Disabled

Resumo

O uso da Comunicação Alternativa para o desenvolvimento de habilidades comunicacionais de crianças com TEA tem sido aplicado com êxito nas intervenções. Entretanto, no Brasil, são escassos os estudos na faixa etária da adolescência e autistas não verbais. Este artigo tem como objetivo demonstrar o impacto do uso de um sistema de comunicação alternativa no desenvolvimento das habilidades comunicacionais em um adolescente não-verbal com TEA. Trata-se de estudo de intervenção longitudinal do tipo estudo de caso único. As habilidades foram avaliadas pelo protocolo de Avaliação da Comunicação no Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo - ACOTEA. Constatou-se que houve avanço nas habilidades comunicativas e comportamentais. A comunicação receptiva apresentou maior variação entre a primeira, segunda e terceira aplicação, evoluindo de 50% para 66,60% e, no final, para 83,30%, seguida do comportamento social 45,80% para 70,80% e depois para 75%. O uso da Comunicação Alternativa com um sistema robusto de comunicação apontou evidências do desenvolvimento de habilidades comunicativas bem como no comportamento social no adolescente com TEA assistido. 

Palavras-chave

Transtorno do Espectro Autista; Comunicação; Fonoaudiologia; Tecnologia Assistiva; Auxiliares de Comunicação para Pessoas com Deficiência

References

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Submitted date:
10/01/2022

Accepted date:
04/25/2023

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