PSYCHOLOGY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD: AN EXPERIENCE REPORT ON EARLY INTERVENTION IN AUTISM

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood onset. It is characterized by difficulties in communication, interaction, social-emotional reciprocity, stereotypes, and restricted interest patterns. The first signs of ASD can be noticed in early childhood, and the earlier treatment is started, the greater the benefits for the child. The objective of this paper is to report the experience of early intervention performed by a professional psychologist, with children from 0 to 6 years old, with suspected or diagnosed ASD. This is a descriptive research, of the experience report type. It was noticed that the major difficulties of the children were not making eye contact, delayed speech, repetitive hand movements, low interest in playing with other children and motor alterations. It was concluded that after the application of early stimulation therapy there were improvements in the symptoms present in ASD.