Digital, co-created implementation of communication partner training programs for stroke, brain injury, and dementia: Past, present, and future.

PURPOSE: Communication partner training is a recommended intervention for partners of people with acquired brain injury. In this paper we explore the past, present, and future of communication partner training (CPT) based on our 2023 Speech Pathology Australia national conference address. METHOD: We focus on our research team's contributions, and highlight research knowledge across stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and dementia. This work is anchored in the voice of people with communication disability. One partner in the CPT journey, Rosey Morrow, co-authors this paper. RESULT: The CPT evidence base for acquired neurological conditions is growing, including in the areas of technology, co-design, and translation. However, knowledge and implementation gaps remain. CONCLUSION: The future of CPT will require us to harness co-design and technology, whilst meeting the implementation challenges of complex systems to enable communication for all.

Identifying Components of a Person-Centered Augmentative and Alternative Communication Intervention for People With Dementia: Opinions of an International Expert Panel.

PURPOSE: Despite general agreement on the importance of person-centered care in speech-language pathology, guidelines for developing person-centered interventions for those with dementia are limited. This study aimed to obtain expert opinion on the components of a person-centered augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention for persons with dementia. METHOD: A modified electronic Delphi technique was employed in a single round. A purposively sampled panel of experts was invited to provide their opinion on three open-ended questions related to (a) the elements of person-centered care, (b) communication supports, and (c) the interaction outcomes of a person-centered intervention. Thirty-one experts from nine countries participated on the panel. The majority were speech-language pathologists primarily involved in research. Qualitative written data were coded and analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Nine components were identified across the three open-ended questions: (a) the unique characteristics of the person with dementia, (b) working with a person with dementia, (c) preserving personhood, (d) a different view on person-centered care, (e) a range of communication supports, (f) supportive conversational partners, (g) designing communication supports, (h) interaction outcome measure, and (i) meaningful interaction outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study identified nine components that are useful in guiding speech-language pathologists in crafting future person-centered AAC interventions for people with dementia.

Effects of an Augmentative and Alternative Communication Intervention Package on Socio-Communicative Behaviors Between Minimally Speaking Autistic Children and Their Peers.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention package consisting of systematic instruction and aided modeling with speech-output technologies on the acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of socio-communicative behaviors-initiating a request for a turn, answering questions, and commenting-in four, minimally speaking (MS) autistic children between the ages of 6 and 9 years. METHOD: A multiple-probe design across behaviors replicated across participants was implemented to evaluate the effects of systematic instruction and aided modeling on initiating requests for a turn, answering questions, and commenting behaviors. Additionally, a pre- and posttreatment multiple-generalization-probes design was used to assess generalization across peers. RESULTS: Visual analyses demonstrated experimental control for two participants (i.e., Derek, Ajay) showing a functional relationship between the intervention and outcomes across all social communicative behavior. For one participant (i.e., Matthew), experimental control could not be established because he did not reach the learning criterion for commenting. The fourth participant (i.e., John) transferred to a different school after making some progress on requesting. Effect size indicator analyses corroborated these findings, indicating medium-to-strong effects for initiating requests for a turn strong effects for answering questions, and medium-to-strong effects for commenting. Generalization of socio-communicative behaviors from researcher to a typically developing peer was variable across participants. Participants maintained socio-communicative behaviors 3 weeks after the last intervention session with varying degrees of success. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of this study suggest that aided modeling and systematic instruction using speech-output technologies may lead to gains in socio-communicative behaviors in some MS autistic children. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.25799935.

Pedagogical Approaches to Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Communication Sciences and Disorders Programs: A Nationwide Survey.

PURPOSE: This study investigates how instructors in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) programs teach about cultural and linguistic diversity (CLD) in general-content courses as well as those dedicated to CLD content with the goal of identifying ways of improving training of preservice clinicians to provide culturally responsive service delivery. METHOD: A survey was sent to 4,192 instructors in CSD programs at 295 institutions in the United States and Puerto Rico, of which 565 responded. The survey contained choice response questions and open-ended questions. RESULTS: Curricular infusion as the sole strategy of CLD training has decreased since a similar survey was published by Stockman et al. (2008), while the number of programs that offer courses dedicated to CLD or use both strategies has increased. Dedicated CLD courses offer broader training in CLD issues and are considered more effective at preparing students to work with CLD populations. A number of challenges were identified, such as a lack of available resources or time to cover CLD issues. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of curricular infusion and dedicated CLD coursework is recommended to ensure sufficient training in CLD issues. The development of additional resources is needed to better support instructors in both general-content and CLD-dedicated courses. Finally, CLD training should engage students in challenging unjust systems and harmful ideologies and not just celebrate multiculturalism in order to provide culturally responsive service to all clients. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.25587651.

Still having his say: David Yoder's legacy in AAC.

On February 2 2023, one of the guiding lights in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for more than four decades, David E. Yoder, passed away at the age of 90. A voracious reader and gifted storyteller, David was particularly fond of a quote from George Bernard Shaw's Back to Methuselah, "You see things; and you say 'Why?' but I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?'" That vision led him to take on multiple leadership roles and influence the field of AAC in multiple ways. He played a pivotal role in establishing both the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) and the United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC). Additionally, he chaired the panel for the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)'s inaugural Consensus Validation Conference on AAC, advocated for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to recognize AAC within the profession's scope of practice, and served as the first editor for the Augmentative and Alternative Communication journal. In this tribute, we describe David's diverse and unique contributions to improving the lives of people with communication challenges with a focus on some of his central insights and actions.

Project Building Bridges: A Framework for Preparing Highly Qualified Speech-Language Pathologists to Serve Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students With Augmentative and Alternative Communication Needs.

PURPOSE: Project Building Bridges was funded by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs to address the shortage of speech-language pathologists qualified to serve students with complex communication needs who benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and are culturally and linguistically diverse. The purpose was to train future speech-language pathologists in culturally responsive AAC practices through coursework and fieldwork in AAC integrated into the Master of Science degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. METHOD: Fifty-seven graduate students completed the project. The scholars' curriculum consisted of two AAC courses, both on-campus and externship AAC clinical practicum experiences to provide services to multicultural and linguistically diverse students, a U.S. or international service-learning opportunity, and cumulative portfolio presentations. RESULTS: Mixed-methods outcome measures consisted of four sets of pre- and postsurveys and qualitative feedback from exit interviews to assess changes in graduate student competencies. Significant differences were demonstrated between scholars' pre- and post-assessments of confidence ratings. Significant differences were also demonstrated in both scholars' and school mentors' pre- and post-assessments of competency ratings. No significant differences were found between evaluations of AAC preparation by Clinical Fellowship (CF) candidates and their CF mentors at 1 year postgraduation. CONCLUSIONS: Project Building Bridges provides a framework for preparing highly qualified speech-language pathologists to serve culturally and linguistically diverse students who benefit from AAC as evidenced by pre- and postsurvey results. The project can serve as a model for other university programs in the development of preservice preparation programs focusing on culturally and linguistically diverse students with AAC needs.

Increasing Reciprocal Social Interactions Between Children Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Peers Using a Collaborative Learning Framework.

PURPOSE: Children with complex communication needs who rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies to express themselves face significant difficulties interaction with peers. This study sought to design, implement, and evaluate a collaborative photography intervention designed to increase reciprocal social interaction between children who use AAC and their same-age peers. METHOD: A single-subject, withdrawal design (ABAB) was used to explore the functional relationship between engagement in a collaborative photography intervention and the frequency of reciprocal social interactions between children who use AAC and their same-age peers. Partial-interval time sampling was used to code the number of reciprocal social interactions across four dyads. RESULTS: Increased frequencies of reciprocal social interactions were observed in intervention phases across all four dyads. Very large levels of effect and 100% nonoverlapping data were noted for Dyads 1 and 4. Moderate levels of effect and 70% of nonoverlapping data were noted for Dyads 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: Collaborative learning frameworks may be used to increase reciprocal social interactions between children who use AAC and their peers. Speech-language pathologists should consider utilizing collaborative learning elements in activities with children who use AAC. Future research is needed to further explore collaborative learning frameworks for interventions for children who use AAC. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.25464064.

Parents' Perceptions of Eye-Gaze Technology Use by Children With Complex Communication Needs.

PURPOSE: Some preschool students with complex communication needs explore eye-gaze computer technology (EGCT) and adopt computer-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The objective of this study was to follow preschool explorers of EGCT who are now school aged to describe the children's use of technology and parents' perceptions of its utility for communication, participation, or leisure. METHOD: Ten parents completed survey questions by Internet and phone and reported their perceptions of nine children's effectiveness in the use and acceptance of AAC and the support they received in implementing technology. The results are reported as a descriptive study. RESULTS: All children in this research continue to use AAC technology in school and most at home. Many children who tried and obtained EGCT while in preschool continue to use that technology. Most parents agreed that the children understood how to use the devices, which enhanced the children's communication, and that the parents received sufficient support. Most children were limited in their use of the devices for leisure and control of their environments. CONCLUSIONS: Computer-based AAC for school-aged children who trialed it when they were in preschool appears to be a powerful means for them to communicate and participate. However, the technology appears not to be used to its full capabilities to support the children's agency to control environments and to pursue leisure. Teams may want to consider how to support children in using their AAC devices to meet multiple needs. The study was limited by its small sample size and its descriptive nature. Additional research on this subject is needed.

A systematic review of acquisition and mastery of skills taught using the Picture Exchange Communication System.

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a popular augmentative and alternative communication intervention for individuals with developmental disabilities that includes six, sequential phases of instruction. We systematically reviewed published and unpublished single-case PECS studies for details about the percentage of participants mastering PECS phases, how long it took participants to master PECS phases (in trials to mastery), and what constituted mastery of PECS phases. We found most participants mastered only the first two phases of PECS, and Phases I, II, and IV showed the slowest and widest variability in trials to mastery. Moreover, participants who were taught the third PECS phase learned to select from an average array of three symbols, which may limit the range of messages they can communicate. We discuss our findings in light of a few important limitations and provide directions for future researchers along with recommendations for professionals who might consider PECS.

Communication support in care homes for older adults: Views and reported practices of speech and language therapists and care home activities staff in the UK.

BACKGROUND: Speech and language therapists (SLTs) and care home activities staff play key roles in managing and supporting the communication needs of older residents in care homes. However, the current practice and perspectives of these two professions in the United Kingdom has not been examined. AIMS: To investigate the practice patterns and views of SLTs and activities staff working in UK care homes for older adults in relation to residents' communication needs. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Two online surveys, with 63 questions (SLT survey) and 46 questions (activities staff survey) in total, were created using the online platform Qualtrics. Participants were asked to consider their routine practice before COVID-19. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: A total of 116 valid responses were received from SLTs and 29 valid responses from activities staff. A high level of communication needs in care homes was reported by both participant groups, as was insufficient time and resources and lack of managerial encouragement in this area. SLTs reported that the majority of referrals to their service from care homes was for swallowing needs (70%). Cognitive communication difficulty was the most commonly reported communication need by SLTs (65%). Most SLTs (73%-87%) provided some level of communication intervention and considered management of residents' communication needs to be both part of the SLT role and a good investment of their time. Lack of confidence setting goals and providing direct intervention for communication needs was reported, with 25% feeling stressed at the thought of this. The main themes from free text responses about SLT service improvement were increased staff training, funding (of resources and specialist posts) and changes to service provision (referral criteria and accessibility/awareness of SLT service). Hearing impairment was the communication need most commonly reported by activities staff (43%). Participants demonstrated relatively high awareness of communication difficulty in residents and reported high levels of knowledge and confidence identifying and supporting residents' communication. Most (79%-89%) considered identifying and supporting the communication needs of residents to be part of their role and expressed interest in receiving further training in communication support. The reported activities staff data set may be positively biased. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: SLTs and activities staff were highly motivated to support the communication needs of care home residents. Increased training, time and resources dedicated to managing the communication needs of residents emerged as opportunities for service improvement across both data sets. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject There is a high level of communication need amongst older care home residents. Social interaction and relationships are important factors contributing to quality of life in this population and rely on successful communication. Speech and language therapists (SLTs) and activities staff play key roles in managing and supporting the communication needs of this client group, but the current practice and perspectives of these professions in the United Kingdom has not been examined. What this study adds A high level of communication need in care home residents was identified by both SLT and activities staff and both participant groups were motivated to address, identify and manage this need. However, insufficient time and resources, as well as a perceived lack of encouragement from managers to provide communication support/intervention, were reported by both groups. SLT practice was constrained by referral criteria and care pathways, which differed between services. Suggestions for SLT service improvement are reported. Clinical implications of this study Targeted, ongoing staff training is required in care homes to improve the communication environment and develop care home staff capacity to support residents' communication needs. There is also a call for service level improvements to increase the range of SLT practice in care homes, including a greater focus on communication needs and more specialist (e.g., dementia) SLT roles.

Consideraciones clínicas para fonoaudiólogos en el tratamiento de personas con COVID-19 y traqueostomía. Parte II: Mejorando la fonación para facilitar la comunicación / Clinical considerations for speech-language pathologists in the treatment of people with COVID-19 and tracheostomy. Part II: Improving phonation to facilitate communicatio

La enfermedad COVID-19 fue declarada pandemia por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Su presentación más severa genera una condición que requiere tratamiento en unidades de cuidados intensivos, condición que al prolongarse en el tiempo requiere la implementación de una traqueostomía para facilitar la entrega de soporte ventilatorio invasivo. Si bien este dispositivo posee importantes ventajas que favorecen la recuperación y rehabilitación, también es cierto que genera diversas complicaciones en la comunicación de las personas, condición que se suma a los efectos propios del COVID-19 y la frecuente historia de intubación endotraqueal previa. El objetivo de este artículo es proveer orientaciones y herramientas clínicas para el tratamiento de la fonación para la comunicación en personas con traqueostomía y COVID-19. Se considera para ello las recomendaciones de la literatura existentes a la fecha, bajo un análisis pragmático y basado en nuestra experiencia de atender a más de 561 personas con esta condición. Se exponen las características de la comunicación en esta población, su tratamiento, consideraciones para el uso de técnicas específicas y orientaciones para la mejora de la calidad de vida. Siempre con un enfoque orientado al cuidado y protección de las/os usuarias/os y el equipo de salud, en particular fonoaudiólogas y fonoaudiólogos del país.

The COVID-19 disease was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. When most severe, it generates a condition that requires treatment in intensive care units, which, when extended in time, requires implementing of a tracheostomy to facilitate invasive ventilatory support. Although ventilatory support has important advantages that favor recovery and rehabilitation, it generates various complications for patients' communication, a condition that adds to the effects of COVID-19 and the frequent history of previous endotracheal intubation. The aim of this article is to provide guidance and clinical tools for the treatment of phonation to facilitate communication in people with tracheostomy and COVID-19. For this, the recommendations of the existing available literature are considered, under a pragmatic analysis and based on our experience of treating more than 561 infected patients. The characteristics of communication in this population, its treatment, considerations for the use of specific techniques and guidelines to improve quality of life are exposed. Always with an approach oriented to the care and protection of users and the health team, in particular speech-language pathologists in the country.

Consideraciones para la intervención de los apoyos de la comunicación y el lenguaje en la escuela inclusiva / Considerations for the intervention on communication and language supports in the inclusive school

La evolución de la integración educativa hacia el paradigma de la inclusión representa un cambio radical en la perspectiva de análisis de la realidad de las escuelas, en cuanto a la diversidad del alumnado, y de las propuestas de intervención que se centran ahora no en los déficits y limitaciones del individuo, sino en las oportunidades y alternativas que les ofrece el contexto. La puesta en práctica del modelo inclusivo requiere la creación de equipos docentes, que incluyan al profesorado de apoyo como elemento clave para el desarrollo del proyecto. Miembros de este equipo de apoyo son los especialistas en comunicación y lenguaje, que plantean, en un modelo de educación inclusiva, una intervención no de carácter clínico ni terapéutico ni aislado, sino integral que considera el entorno natural del aula como clave para el proceso de adquisición y desarrollo de la capacidad lingüística y comunicativa de todos los alumnos. Este modelo de intervención tiene en el trabajo en equipo y la colaboración el elemento fundamental para garantizar el éxito en la implementación y desarrollo del modelo de la educación inclusiva, que plantea la necesidad de ofrecer propuestas coordinadas entre el apoyo y el tutor a partir de dimensiones y áreas curriculares comunes para trabajar la diversidad del alumnado en cuento a la comunicación y el lenguaje, que potencien y trabajen elementos válidos para todos e imprescindibles para algunos

The evolution of educational integration towards a paradigm of inclusiveness represents a radical change in the perspective of analysing school reality with regard to student diversity and intervention proposals, focused now not on individual shortcomings and limitations, but on the opportunities and alternatives offered to them in this context. Putting an inclusive model into practice requires setting up teaching teams, including support for teachers as a key element to implement the project. Members of this support team are specialists in communication and language which they suggest, in an inclusive education model, an intervention without a clinical, therapeutic or isolated nature, but rather as an integral part that takes into account the natural setting of the classroom as key for the process of acquiring and developing linguistic and communication skills amongst all students. Teamwork and collaboration are the key elements of this intervention model to ensure the inclusive education model is successfully implemented and rolled out. It includes the need to offer coordinated proposals between the support and tutor staff based on curricular dimensions and areas to work on student diversity regarding communication and language, which strengthen and work on elements that are valid for all students and which are essential for some

Instruments for augmentative and alternative communication for children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review

New technologies designed to improve the communication of autistic children can also help to promote interaction processes and cognitive and social development. The aim of this study was to analyze the instruments used to improve the communication skills of children with autism spectrum disorder. We searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases using the descriptors "autism", "Asperger", "education", "children" and "assistive technology" and selected articles that met the following inclusion criteria: (i) original research; (ii) written in English; (iii) based on participants with a primary diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder; and (iv) tested an instrument designed to promote communication in children with autism spectrum disorder. Our search retrieved 811 articles, of which 34 met the inclusion criteria. Data on 26 instruments were extracted, and the measurement properties of the instruments were combined with information about their outcomes and presentation. The most commonly used interventions were the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children program and the Picture Exchange Communication System. The Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children program was shown to produce improvements in the communication skills, socialization and self-care skills of children with autism spectrum disorder. The Picture Exchange Communication System produced inconsistent results. The results of the identified studies confirm the significant importance of these instruments in improving the communicative process of autistic children.

Estrategia de matrices y jerarquía creciente de incitaciones para expresar relaciones semánticas combinando símbolos en la discapacidad intelectual / A matrix strategy and an increasing prompt hierarchy to express semantic relationships combining symbols in intellectual disability

Introducción. Apenas se ha explorado la aplicación conjunta de la estrategia de matrices y de jerarquía de incitaciones para el aprendizaje de la expresión de relaciones semánticas combinando símbolos en adultos con discapacidad intelectual. El objetivo de este estudio es investigar el efecto de estas estrategias en la producción de combinaciones de símbolos en el contexto de la lectura compartida a tres adultos con discapacidad intelectual moderada y severa. Metodología. Se utilizó un diseño de caso único de pruebas múltiples entre tres clases de relaciones semánticas generadas a partir de una matriz de combinaciones. Se aplicó a tres personas con DI la jerarquía creciente de incitaciones para la producción de las combinaciones simbólicas. Resultados. Los resultados mostraron que la aplicación de las estrategias de intervención fue eficaz para enseñar a los participantes a producir las relaciones semánticas combinando símbolos, para la generalización a ejemplares no entrenados y para el mantenimiento de habilidades al finalizar la intervención. Conclusiones. Incluso adultos con discapacidad intelectual significativa pueden aprender a combinar símbolos para expresar relaciones semánticas cuando se aplican intervenciones apropiadas (AU)

Introduction. There are few studies on the expression of semantic relationships using graphic symbol combinations by the application of the matrix strategy and a hierarchy of increasing prompts to intellectually disabled adults. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the matrix strategy and an increasing prompt hierarchy in the context of shared story reading on the production of graphic symbol combinations in three adults with moderate to severe intellectual disability. Methods. A single subject, multiple probe design across different types of semantic relationships generated from a matrix combination was used. A hierarchy of increasing prompts for the production of symbol combinations was applied to three individuals. Results. It was shown that the application of the training strategies was successful in teaching the participants to produce targeted semantic relationships combining symbols, in order to extrapolate to untrained models, and for the maintenance of post-intervention skills. Conclusions. Even significant intellectually disabled adults may learn to combine symbols for the expression of semantic relationships when appropriate interventions techniques are applied (AU)

Seleção de vocábulos para implementação do Picture Exchange Communication System – PECS em autistas não verbais / Selection of words for implementation of the Picture Exchange Communication System – PECS in non-verbal autistic children

RESUMO Objetivo Sabe-se que alguns autistas são considerados não verbais, uma vez que não são hábeis para utilizar o código linguístico. E tampouco usam gestos para compensar a ausência de fala. Sendo assim, a habilidade comunicativa desses indivíduos pode ser beneficiada pelo uso do sistema de comunicação alternativa Picture Exchange Communication System – PECS. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar os vocábulos mais frequentemente utilizados na implementação do PECS em crianças autistas. E, de forma complementar, analisar a correlação entre a frequência destes vocábulos e o índice de comportamentos não adaptativos. Método Trata-se de um estudo transversal. A amostra foi constituída por 31 crianças autistas, sendo vinte e cinco meninos e seis meninas, na faixa etária de 5 a 10 anos. Para identificação dos vocábulos mais frequentemente utilizados no período inicial de implementação do PECS, utilizamos a Planilha de Seleção de Vocabulário. E, para obtermos o índice de comportamentos não adaptativos, aplicamos o Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). Resultados Houve predomínio significativo de itens na categoria alimentos, seguido de atividade e bebidas. Não houve correlação entre o total de itens identificados pelas famílias com o índice de comportamentos não adaptativos. Conclusão Foi possível identificar as categorias de vocábulos mais mencionados pelas famílias e verificar que o índice de comportamentos não adaptativos não interferiu diretamente na elaboração da planilha de seleção de vocábulos das crianças estudadas.

ABSTRACT Purpose It is known that some autistic individuals are considered non-verbal, since they are unable to use verbal language and barely use gestures to compensate for the absence of speech. Therefore, these individuals’ ability to communicate may benefit from the use of the Picture Exchange Communication System – PECS. The objective of this study was to verify the most frequently used words in the implementation of PECS in autistic children, and on a complementary basis, to analyze the correlation between the frequency of these words and the rate of maladaptive behaviors. Methods This is a cross-sectional study. The sample was composed of 31 autistic children, twenty-five boys and six girls, aged between 5 and 10 years old. To identify the most frequently used words in the initial period of implementation of PECS, the Vocabulary Selection Worksheet was used. And to measure the rate of maladaptive behaviors, we applied the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). Results There was a significant prevalence of items in the category “food”, followed by “activities” and “beverages”. There was no correlation between the total amount of items identified by the families and the rate of maladaptive behaviors. Conclusion The categories of words most mentioned by the families could be identified, and it was confirmed that the level of maladaptive behaviors did not interfere directly in the preparation of the vocabulary selection worksheet for the children studied.

Remote follow-up to speech-language intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): parents' feedback regarding structured activities

ABSTRACT Purpose This paper aims to present the first descriptions of experiences of parents and caretakers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) enrolled as mediators in a structured program of speech-language intervention with remote follow-up. Methods Research with focus on speech-language intervention for children with ASD was carried out with remote follow-up. Forty parents were instructed to perform daily activities focused on communication and interaction with their children, at home, for a period of six weeks. Parents and caretakers were questioned about the experience and by means of a structured questionnaire. Results Only 40% of the parents/caretakers conducted the activities proposed every day. Difficulties were reported by 60% of the parents/caretakers. Behavioral problems were also reported as reasons for the difficulties to conduct the activities proposed. Conclusion the importance of parents who provide detailed information about the child's development, discuss doubts and exchange experiences for the development of intervention programs that include families.

A oferta da terapia fonoaudiológica em locais de assistência a indivíduos com Transtornos do Espectro do Autista (TEA) / The provision of speech-language therapy in services destined to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

RESUMO Os Transtornos do Espectro Autista (TEA) têm sido grande preocupação em saúde pública devido ao aumento de sua prevalência e isto traz à tona, a discussão sobre a assistência prestada assim como dos acompanhamentos terapêuticos necessários. Dentre estes acompanhamentos, se destaca a terapia fonoaudiológica. Este estudo buscou caracterizar a oferta desse serviço nos diversos locais de assistência a essa população no município de São Paulo e para isso, elaborou-se um questionário. Participaram do estudo 25 locais com um total de 854 indivíduos com TEA assistidos. Observou-se que apenas 64% dos locais oferecem o acompanhamento fonoaudiológico e que o número dos indivíduos com indicação para esse acompanhamento está aquém do esperado. Conclui-se que há necessidade de gerenciamento no serviço fonoaudiológico oferecido a esta população.

ABSTRACT The increased prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) worldwide has been a major public health concern; therefore, discussion about the services and therapies required has become important. This study aimed to characterize the provision of speech-language therapy services in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo. To this end, a questionnaire with 23 questions was developed based on the Balanced Scorecard methodology. This questionnaire was applied to 854 individuals assisted in 25 ASD services. The results show that only 64% of the ASD services offer speech-language therapy and that the number of individuals assisted is below the expected. Therefore, there is a necessity for better management in the speech-language therapy services offered to the ASD population.

Pesquisaje de los trastornos de la comunicación oral en círculos infantiles del Policlínico Moncada en el Municipio Plaza / Research on oral communication disorders in the Day Care Centers belonging to Moncada Polyclinic Plaza Municipality

Se realizó una investigación descriptiva de corte transversal en el área de salud del Policlínico docente Moncada, Municipio Plaza, durante el período comprendido de Septiembre a Diciembre del 2014, a 176 niños de 3 a 6 años de edad que asistían a círculos infantiles, que representó la muestra de nuestro estudio con el objetivo de conocer el comportamiento de los trastornos de la comunicación oral en la población infantil según sexo y año de vida. De 176 niños estudiados 85 presentaron alteraciones logofoniátricas predominando en nuestro estudio el sexo masculino con 47 niños afectados para un (55.2 por ciento), y además el mayor porciento le corresponde a 5to año de vida para un (53 por ciento). Las patologías más frecuentes diagnosticadas fueron la dislalia con un (68.2 por ciento) y el retraso del lenguaje con (21.3 por ciento). Solo un (20 por ciento) recibió información de los trastornos logofoniátricos por el personal de atención primaria de salud. Los padres de los niños diagnosticados con patologías logofoniátricas y los médicos de la atención primara de salud no tienen suficiente preparación y conocimiento para la identificación temprana y manejo de estas alteraciones(AU)

It was carried out a descriptive cross-sectional research in the health area that belongs to the Teaching Polyclinic Moncada in Plaza's Municipality during the period of September to December 2014, the research was made to 176 children about 3 to 6 years from the Day Care Centers, which represented the sample in order to understand the behavior of the oral communication disorders in children according to sex and year. From the 176 children studied, 85 presented logo-phoniatric alterations, the male sex prevailed in our study, with 47 children affected (55.2 percent), besides the higher percentage belonged to the 5th year of life (53 percent). The most frequent diagnosed pathologies were: dyslalia (with 68.2 percent) and language failure (21.3 percent). Only (20 percent) received information by the primary health care staff about logo-phoniatric disorders. The parents of children diagnosed with logo-phoniatric pathologies and the doctors of the Primary health care do not have enough preparation and knowledge for the early identification and management of these alterations(EU)

Estudo longitudinal da terapia de linguagem de 142 crianças e adolescentes com distúrbios do espectro do autismo / Longitudinal study of language therapy in 142 children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders

Os últimos 25 anos proporcionaram mudanças significativas na atuação fonoaudiológica dirigida aos Distúrbios do Espectro do Autismo em todo o mundo. Elas envolvem os critérios diagnósticos, a metodologia de pesquisas e a sistematização de dados de processos diagnósticos e de intervenção. Nesse contexto, os primeiros resultados do uso de um sistema de registros utilizado num serviço especializado reforçam a importância da inclusão das informações referentes a cada processo de intervenção em sistemas confiáveis e acessíveis, garantindo a associação de informações, e evidenciam as possibilidades de estudos com grandes populações, o que não é comum na literatura da área.

The last 25 years produced important changes in the Speech Language intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the whole world. They refer to diagnostic criteria, research methods and systematization of data about diagnostic and intervention processes. In this context, the first results about the use of a recording system used on a specialized service highlights the importance of including information about each intervention process on reliable and accessible systems. This procedure allows the association among several types of data and studies with large populations, something that is not usual in the field.