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

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.

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.

Comparative study of the imitation ability in Specific Language Impairment and Autism Spectrum Impairment.

PURPOSE: To compare abilities of imitating generic and sequential motion gesture schemes in family routines among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Specific Language Impairment (SLI) and to analyze the relation between imitation index and verbal production in the ASD group. METHODS: The sample was constituted by 2:1 pairing of 36 children, according to gender and age. All of them were diagnosed by a multidisciplinary team as belonging to the ASD group (n=24) or SLI group (n=12) and were under direct and indirect intervention in a school clinic. We have used the stage of imitation of the Assessment of Symbolic Maturity, which entails the imitation of nine generic and three sequential motion gesture schemes. RESULTS: There was a tendency to a better performance of the SLI group at imitating both generic and sequential gesture schemes. As we have related the ability of imitation to the verbal production in the ASD group, a direct relation between the production of phrases and the imitation of sequential schemes was detected. CONCLUSION: The ability to imitate gesture and sequential schemes could be compared, and a more prominent impairment was identified in children with autism. Among them, a direct significant relationship between the ability of imitating sequential gesture schemes in family routine and verbal production of words and sentences was verified.

Relação entre vocabulário receptivo e expressivo em crianças com transtorno específico do desenvolvimento da fala e da linguagem / Relationship between receptive and expressive vocabulary in chidren with specific language impairment

OBJETIVO: comparar os índices de vocabulário receptivo e expressivo de crianças com Transtorno Específico do Desenvolvimento da Fala e da Linguagem. MÉTODOS: trata-se de estudo transversal, com amostra constituída por 21 crianças com Transtorno Específico do Desenvolvimento da Fala e da Linguagem, avaliadas em clínica-escola de Fonoaudiologia, sendo 9 crianças do gênero feminino e 12 crianças do gênero masculino, com idades entre 3 e 11 anos. Para este estudo foi utilizada a Prova de Vocabulário do Teste ABFW e o Teste de Vocabulário por Imagem Peabody - TVIP. RESULTADOS: 80,95% das crianças apresentaram desempenho adequado na avaliação do vocabulário expressivo, enquanto 52,4% apresentaram desempenho compatível com a faixa etária na avaliação do vocabulário receptivo. Não houve significância estatística. CONCLUSÃO: as crianças apresentaram melhor desempenho em avaliação do vocabulário expressivo em relação ao vocabulário receptivo. Esses dados comprovam a necessidade de um olhar atento e investigativo do fonoaudiólogo para os aspectos tanto de produção quanto de compreensão da linguagem. .

PURPOSE: to compare receptive and expressive vocabulary indexes in children with Specific Language Impairment. METHODS: cross-sectional study, with sample constituted of 21 children with Specific Developmental Disorder of Speech and Language, assessed in a Speech Therapy school clinic, being 09 girls and 12 boys, with an age range between 3 and 11 years old. For this study,Proof of Vocabulary of Teste ABFW and the Teste of Vocabulary Picture Peabody-TVIP was used. RESULTS: 80,95% of the children presented adequate development compatible with the evaluation of expressive vocabulary, while 52,4% presented development compatible with the age range in evaluation of receptive vocabulary. There was no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: children in the present study presented better performance in the evaluation of expressive vocabulary in relation to receptive vocabulary. This data prove the need of a careful and investigative view by the speech therapist for both the aspects of production and understanding of language. .

Comparative study of the imitation ability in Specific Language Impairment and Autism Spectrum Impairment / Estudo comparativo da habilidade de imitação no Transtorno Específico de Linguagem e no Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo

Purpose: To compare abilities of imitating generic and sequential motion gesture schemes in family routines among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Specific Language Impairment (SLI) and to analyze the relation between imitation index and verbal production in the ASD group. Methods: The sample was constituted by 2:1 pairing of 36 children, according to gender and age. All of them were diagnosed by a multidisciplinary team as belonging to the ASD group (n=24) or SLI group (n=12) and were under direct and indirect intervention in a school clinic. We have used the stage of imitation of the Assessment of Symbolic Maturity, which entails the imitation of nine generic and three sequential motion gesture schemes. Results: There was a tendency to a better performance of the SLI group at imitating both generic and sequential gesture schemes. As we have related the ability of imitation to the verbal production in the ASD group, a direct relation between the production of phrases and the imitation of sequential schemes was detected. Conclusion: The ability to imitate gesture and sequential schemes could be compared, and a more prominent impairment was identified in children with autism. Among them, a direct significant relationship between the ability of imitating sequential gesture schemes in family routine and verbal production of words and sentences was verified. .

Objetivo: Comparar as habilidades de imitação de esquemas gestuais simples e de sequências de ações em rotinas familiares de crianças com Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo (TEA) e com Transtorno Específico de Linguagem e Fala (TEL) e analisar a relação entre o índice de imitação e a produção verbal das crianças do Grupo TEA. Métodos: A amostra foi constituída pelo pareamento 2:1 de 36 crianças, de acordo com gênero e faixa etária. Todas foram diagnosticadas por equipe multidisciplinar como pertencentes ao Grupo TEA (n=24) ou grupo TEL (n=12) e atendidas em intervenção direta e indireta em clínicaescola. Utilizamos a etapa de imitação da Avaliação da Maturidade Simbólica, que compreende a imitação de nove esquemas gestuais simples e de três esquemas gestuais sequenciais. Resultados: Observamos tendência de melhor desempenho do Grupo TEL na imitação de esquemas gestuais tanto simples como sequenciais. Ao relacionarmos a habilidade de imitação à produção verbal do Grupo TEA, verificamos relação direta entre produção de frases e imitação de esquemas sequenciais. Conclusão: Foi possível comparar a habilidade de imitação gestual e de esquema sequencial e verificar maior comprometimento de desempenho nas crianças com diagnóstico compatível com o Espectro do Autismo. Dentre estas, verificouse relação direta significativa entre a habilidade de imitação de sequências de rotinas familiares e a produção verbal de palavras e frases. .

Caracterização do perfil comunicativo de crianças com distúrbios do espectro autístico com diferentes interlocutores / Characterizing the communicative profile of children with autistic spectrum disturbances with different interlocutors

OBJETIVO: caracterizar e comparar o perfil comunicativo de crianças com distúrbios do espectro autístico com dois diferentes interlocutores. MÉTODO: participaram da pesquisa nove sujeitos, sendo quatro crianças do gênero masculino, com faixa etária variando entre cinco anos e oito meses e onze anos, com distúrbios do espectro autístico e cinco terapeutas de linguagem. Foram realizadas análises do perfil comunicativo dessas crianças com os dois diferentes interlocutores (terapeuta de linguagem da própria criança e terapeuta desconhecida). Para análise dos dados foi empregado o Protocolo de Pragmática e tratamento estatístico dos resultados (p < 0,05; Teste dos Postos Sinalizados de Wilcoxon). RESULTADOS: foram levantados o número de atos comunicativos, o meio pelo qual esses atos foram expressos (vocal, verbal e gestual) e as funções comunicativas. Em média, o número de atos comunicativos expressos pelos sujeitos tanto com os terapeutas das próprias crianças (5,10 atos/min) como com a terapeuta desconhecida (4,93 atos/min) não foi estatisticamente significante. Observou-se na situação de interação com o próprio terapeuta que a média do percentual da ocorrência do meio comunicativo verbal (31,50 por cento) e a média de funções mais interativas (33,25 por cento) são maiores do que com terapeuta desconhecida. CONCLUSÃO: os diferentes interlocutores, estudados nesta pesquisa, não tiveram uma influência no perfil comunicativo destas crianças. Deste modo, sugerem-se novos estudos, com inclusão de outros interlocutores, a fim de estabelecer quais variáveis interacionais interferem estatisticamente no perfil comunicativo de crianças do espectro autístico, com o intuito de contribuir para a elaboração de melhores propostas terapêuticas para esta população.

PURPOSE: characterize and compare the communicative profile of children with disturbances of autistic specter with two different speakers. METHOD: nine subjects took part in the research, among them four children of the masculine gender, between five years old and eight months and eleven years old, with disturbances of the autistic specter and five speech and language therapists. We carried out an analysis of the communicative profile respective to these children with two different speakers (proper child's speech and language and unknown therapist). For the analysis of the information we used the Protocol of Pragmatica and statistical treatment of the results (p < 0.05; Tests of Wilcoxon's Signalized Posts). RESULTS: we raised the number of the communicative acts, the mean through those acts was expressed (vocal, verbal and signal) and also the communicative functions. As a rule, the number of the communicative acts expressed by subjects as with proper child's therapists (5,10 acts/min) as with unknown therapist (4,93 acts/min) was not statistically significant. It was observed in the situation of interaction with proper therapist that the mean value for the percentage of occurrence of verbal communicative mean (31.50 percent) and the average of more interactive functions (33.25 percent) are larger than unknown therapist. CONCLUSION: the different speakers, studied in this research, do not have influence on the communicative profile of these children. From that, we suggest new studies, with inclusion of other speakers, in order to settle which interactive variables interfere statistically in the children's communicative profile of the autistic specter intention to contribute to the elaboration of better therapeutic offers for these people.