Avaliação funcional prática e tratamento baseado em habilidade sem uma criança com Transtorno do Espectro Autista (TEA)

Abstract

The Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent impairments in communication and social interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Children with ASD often exhibit significant communication difficulties. When these challenges are combined with inaccessible or unresponsive environments, they can contribute to the emergence of severe problem behaviors, negatively affecting the child’s social functioning and the caregivers’ quality of life. To identify the synthesized functions of problem behaviors, Hanley et al. (2014) developed the Practical Functional Assessment (PFA) using the Interview-Informed Synthesized Contingency Analysis (IISCA). This methodology provides a foundation for interventions grounded in Skill-Based Treatment (SBT). Based on these assumptions, this study investigated the effects of the combined application of IISCA and SBT in a child with ASD, assessing changes in both problem behaviors and communicative repertoire. This research adopted a single-subject case study design, with a longitudinal approach and quantitative data analysis. The study was conducted at the Center for Autism Support and the Applied Psychology Service Laboratory (LabSPA) at the Federal University of Grande Dourados– MS, Brazil. Following the interventions, results showed a reduction in the frequency of problem behaviors and an increase in communicative behaviors, with high levels of social validity as evaluated through a questionnaire completed by the family.