Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evaluation to neuropsychological rehabilitation.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Autism; Neuropsychology; Diagnosis; Rehabilitation.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has a chronic evolutionary course, so early diagnosis and habilitation are fundamental for the improvement of children's neurodevelopment and, therefore, a better quality of life for children with ASD and their families. Although there are clinical criteria that define the diagnosis of ASD, the multifactorial etiology and, to date, the absence of biological markers enhance the need for a standard diagnosis consistent with the purpose of subsidizing robust interventions. The data from this work are presented and discussed in three parts that correspond to relatively independent studies within the subject matter, namely: 1) The SON-R 2 ½ - 7 test [a] as a model of intelligence assessment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder; 2) Profile of communication, social interaction and behavior in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and; 3) Neuropsychological intervention of systemic orientation for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: pilot theoretical model. Sixty-five children aged 5 to 7 years participated in the study, of which 20 were diagnosed with ASD and 40 with typical development. The inclusion criteria for the clinical group were: 1) diagnosis of ASD confirmed by interprofessional team; 2) insertion and systematic attendance in the regular network of education; 3) ages between 5 and 7 years; 4) Authorization of the legal guardians through the Informed Consent Form (TCLE). Exclusion criteria prevailed: 1) presence of neurological, psychiatric or genetic comorbidity associated with the clinical picture of ASD; 2) impairment of uncorrected visual and auditory acuity. We used instruments that evaluate non-verbal intelligence (SON-R 2½-7 [a] and Raven's Colored Matrices); executive functions and social perception (NEPSY-II); as well as a behavioral observation scale that differentiates the severity of the symptomatological triad of ASD (communication, interaction, behavior). For the purposes of the Qualification Examination of the Doctorate, studies 1 and 2 above will be presented. Study 1 helped to reflect on the sensitivity of Brazilian instruments used in the evaluation of intelligence in ASD. On the other hand, study 2 helped to understand the profile of executive functions, theory of mind and recognition of emotions in clinical groups stratified by the level of severity in the areas of communication, interaction and behavior.