Assessment of pragmatic abilities of children with autism spectrum disorders

Author(s)

Fernanda Dreux Miranda Fernandes ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Curso de Fonoaudiologia - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Audiol., Commun. Res.; v. 26, 2021-11-29.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose To propose a protocol to the assessment of pragmatic abilities of children with autism spectrum disorders, test it and compare the results with those of the Functional Communicative Profile. Methods Participants were 62 children, ages 2 to 12 years without prior diagnosis of any sensorial loss or genetic syndrome. Based on video samples, speech-language pathologists answered to the proposed protocol. The results were analyzed according to their association with other protocols used in the service where the study was carried-out. Results Only data about communication interactivity and use of verbal communicative mean presented significant correlations with the pragmatic aspects of language performance verified by the proposed protocol. The protocol allowed the supposition that larger experience with the child may provide more information about the child’s pragmatic performance. The analysis of the use of the protocol to verify the outcomes of six-month language intervention processes also lead to relevant correlations. Just one of the 29 questions did not result in associations with any of the studied variables. Conclusion So far, the results are not enough to consider that the isolated use of this tool will provide the necessary information to language assessment of intervention follow-up. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/19811-7 - Assessment of pragmatic abilities of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Grantee: Fernanda Dreux Miranda Fernandes
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants