Famílias de crianças com transtorno do espectro do autismo: implementação e avaliação de um programa de apoio para inclusão escolar

Abstract

The present study involved a support program implemented for families of children with autism, in the city of Ponta Porã/MS. For this purpose, the investigation aimed to evaluate a support program aimed at families of children with autism, for school and social inclusion. According to studies, Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder, marked by deficits in interaction and social communication, characterized by stereotyped and repetitive patterns of behavior and irregular intellectual development. In order to understand autism and the framework it encompasses, a literature review was carried out, listing the main authors who deal with the theme of autism, involving family, social support and inclusion. Instruments A support group was implemented, the focus of the research, formed by family members of children with autism, allowing, through the participants' reports, to abstract the characterization of family, school and social daily life. In this attempt, eighteen meetings were held, ten meetings in 2019 and two in 2020, which were interrupted in person due to the pandemic, with contacts being maintained via WhatsApp, continuing in person in 2021, with six meetings, following the requirements of the security protocol in force. The study involved two steps. In stage I, the support group meetings took place and the number of participants ranged from 20 to 30 families, with different frequencies, and the subjects discussed were recorded in a proper book of minutes, with the signatures of those present. In stage II, a questionnaire with ten open questions to the families of children with autism was applied via WhatsApp, which was returned by 12 families. The responses sent were transcribed and composed the corpus of the analysis, which was interpreted, following the technique of “Thematic analysis”. From the research, it was possible to verify the need to create an Association and get a space to support these families and a group of multidisciplinary professionals for specialized care for people with autism, in Ponta Porã, for the benefit of school inclusion. The thesis proved that the support group implemented enabled the empowerment of families of children with autism, contributing to school inclusion.