Month: October 2011

Between 1% and 1.5% of world population presents characteristics related to the autism spectrum, such as difficulties in the areas of development, socialization and language communication, imaginative activity and cognition.

However, there is a great lack of studies on adolescents entered into this spectrum. This makes it difficult to understand when they should be included in therapy. The changes of language and communication are fundamental part of the criteria for diagnosis and therapeutic intervention in this area is crucial to ensure the better development of these

people.

according to a survey by Professor Fernanda Dreux m. Fernandes, Department of physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Fonaudiologia (FOFITO), Faculty of medicine University of São Paulo (FMUSP), from 2005 to 2010, of 3,065 articles published in international journals and national about speech therapy and autism, only 56 on adolescents, being only 3 articles. And 1,356 relating to autism, only 43 spoke about teenagers.

On workshop Autism Cymru, which took place in Cardiff, Wales, in June, the expert analyzes three studies about autism in adolescence. The first refers to analyze clinical developments of autistic children and adolescents in a period of six months of therapy, concluding that, although all participants have evidenced the evolution, children have progressed much more than

adolescents.

In a second search, there was a comparison of changes in the performance of teenagers undergo speech therapy therapy since childhood and those who started therapy later. It was evidenced that there are different rates of development, which are individual characteristics. But the subject that had initiated therapy while children have attained, in General, higher levels of performance.

the third research considered the best way to evaluate the development of each of the patients studied and the characteristics of its communication in three different situations: alone, with coordination of an adult, and group, without any guidance. Was possible to observe that each has adapted his communicative style to different situations and needs of its interlocutors.

late diagnosis

Fernanda teacher comments that is still often the case that the diagnosis is done around the 7, 8 years and that the autistic to be forwarded to the appropriate specialized care already in their early teens, especially in cases where the demonstrations are less intense. Very often, the diagnosis delay being done due to the absence of specific instruments and examinations for this, depending primarily on clinical evaluation made by the doctor. On the other hand, the overcrowding of the health system often causes there is little time for which the diagnosis is discussed and their implications and consequences duly clarified

for families.

to a greater or lesser degree, persons with autism spectrum disorders have difficulties of development in the areas of socialization, language and communication, imaginative activity and cognition. The degree of commitment in each of these areas, however, varies greatly, very intense difficulties, which cause serious difficulties for development towards autonomy, so subtle and specific difficulties, which allows good development since they receive due attention. Recent studies indicate that the intervention started before the age of five produces results more effective, although they are also observed in adolescents. In this way, the late diagnosis often undermines the ideal period to

intervention.

More information can be obtained by e-mail fernandadreux@usp.br, with teacher Fernanda Dreux m.

Fernandes.