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https://revistacefac.org.br/article/doi/10.1590/1982-0216/20262815325
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Equine-therapy services, speech-language-hearing therapy, and communication: An analysis of linguistic reorganizations in children with autism spectrum disorder

Equoterapia, Fonoaudiologia e Comunicação: análise de reorganizações linguísticas em crianças com Transtorno do Espectro Autista

Leticia Correa Celeste; Amanda de Carvalho Pedra; Melissa Nara de Carvalho Picinato-Pirola; Ana Beatriz Morato Ferreira de Sousa; Daniel Couto Vale

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216/20262815325 Revista CEFAC, vol.28, n1, e5325, 2026
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Abstract

Purpose: to analyze the effects of equine-therapy services on the verbal and nonverbal communicative abilities of children with autism spectrum disorder, after 10 sessions of the Step-by-Step Communication Program.

Methods: a longitudinal case series with 10 children aged 2 to 10 years, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The procedures consisted of speech-language-hearing assessments before and after intervention, using the following instruments and scales: Language Development Assessment (ADL); Behavioral Observation Protocol (PROC), based on systemic functional language; and the Child Language Test (ABFW) - part D (pragmatics), as well as 10 sessions of equine-therapy service. The children's speech also underwent systemic-functional analysis, which involves treating speech segments as communication resources available in a given situation. The statistical analysis was descriptive, using the progression coefficient and progress points to measure differences before and after the intervention.

Results: communicative and linguistic reorganizations were observed in 10 children with autism who received the first 10 sessions of equine-therapy service. The participants’ pragmatic and grammatical aspects progressed, with different communicative developments among them. All children who began the program without verbal utterances started to use this communicative means.

Conclusion: the partial application of the speech-language-hearing intervention program in equine-therapy services, called "Step-by-Step in Communication," had positive results regarding the progress of pragmatic, semantic, and morphosyntactic skills in most of the children in the study sample.

Keywords

Equine-Assisted Therapy; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Language; Communication; Speech-Language Pathology

Resumo

Objetivo: analisar os efeitos da equoterapia nas faculdades comunicativas verbais e não verbais de crianças com Transtorno do Espectro Autista, após aplicadas dez sessões do Programa Passo a Passo na Comunicação.

Métodos: estudo longitudinal do tipo série de casos, com 10 crianças entre 2 e 10 anos, diagnosticadas com transtorno do espectro autista. Os procedimentos deste estudo consistiram de avaliação fonoaudiológica antes e após intervenção por meio dos instrumentos e escalas: Avaliação do Desenvolvimento da Linguagem (ADL); Protocolo de Observação Comportamental (PROC), pautado na proposta da linguagem funcional sistêmica (LSF) e o Teste de Linguagem Infantil (ABFW) - parte D (pragmática) e 10 sessões de equoterapia. Optou-se também por uma análise sistêmico-funcional da fala das crianças, que consiste em tratar os segmentos de fala como recursos de comunicação que estão disponíveis em uma dada situação. A análise estatística foi descritiva, utilizando o Coeficiente de Progressão e os Pontos de Evolução para mensurar diferenças pré e pós-intervenção.

Resultados: foram observadas reorganizações comunicativas e linguísticas de dez crianças com autismo que receberam as primeiras dez sessões de equoterapia. Foi possível observar evolução nos aspectos pragmáticos e gramaticais dos participantes, com desenvolvimento comunicativo diferente nos indivíduos. Todas as crianças que iniciaram o Programa sem emissões verbais começaram a utilizam esse meio comunicativo.

Conclusão: a aplicação parcial do Programa de intervenção fonoaudiológica em equoterapia denominado “Passo a Passo na Comunicação” apresentou resultados positivos quanto à evolução em habilidades pragmáticas, semânticas e morfossintáticas na maioria das crianças da amostra estudada.

Palavras-chave

Terapia Assistida por Cavalos; Linguagem; Transtorno do Espectro Autista; Comunicação; Fonoaudiologia

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Submitted date:
08/21/2025

Accepted date:
09/24/2025

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