Sociocognitive performance in autism spectrum disorders and interference of the therapeutic environment.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the sociocognitive performance of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders in two environments of language therapy, which differ as to the physical structure.


METHODS
Ten children and adolescents with ages between 4 and 13 years, of both genders, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders took part in the study. For data collection, eight filming sessions were performed during individual language therapy lasting 30 minutes, being four in a room with conventional environmental organization (common room) and four in a room with specific ambiance [children's interaction core (CIC) room], interspersed during a month. For the analysis of filmed situations, the Sociocognitive Performance Protocol was used and obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis.


RESULTS
No statistical significance was found in sociocognitive performance of 10 subjects in the common and CIC rooms, although specific differences were observed in some cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The creation of preestablished physical environments or specific materials is not and should not be considered essential for language therapy. It is noteworthy, however, that the absence of a large volume of statistically significant data does not indicate that the results are not expressive, reiterating the need for further research in the area.
Speech Therapy Department, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Marília, SP, Brazil.
Andréa Regina Nunes
AR
Misquiatti
Special Education Department, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Marília, SP, Brazil.
Maria Claudia
MC
Brito
Speech Therapy Department, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Marília, SP, Brazil.
Ana Gabriela
AG
Olivati
Speech Therapy Department, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Marília, SP, Brazil.
Thais Rosa dos
TR
Santos
Physical, Speech, and Ocupational Therapies Department, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Fernanda Dreux Miranda
FD
Fernandes
D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D007808:Language Therapy; D008297:Male; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D013070:Speech Therapy; D013066:Speech-Language Pathology