PROJETO TERAPÊUTICO PARA FAMÍLIAS DE CRIANÇAS COM TRANSTORNO DO ESPECTRO DO AUTISMO

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by limitations in social communication, repetitive behavioral patterns, and restricted interests, leading to significant implications for child development and the family environment. In Brazil, public policies aimed at comprehensive assistance for the specific needs of individuals with the disorder and their families are recent, especially in the child and adolescent context. This study aimed to define constitutive elements of a therapeutic project for families with children with the disorder, based on family participation in developing strategies to enhance potentials and address weaknesses, aiming to promote effects on family dynamics in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul. A qualitative approach was used through action research to obtain primary data and a cross-sectional design. The perspective of Social Constructionism contributed to the theoretical and methodological construction, valuing a reflective stance on the development of scientific research, with dialogues between professionals and families seen as interactive, horizontal, inclusive, and co-responsible actions for changing realities. The participants were the health team of the Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Care Center and parents or guardians of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, up to ten years old, served by the institution. Given the pandemic context, the use of virtual techniques was prioritized, starting with an online questionnaire with the health team to obtain sociodemographic data, insights on disorder, and family relationships. For the primary caregiver, a semi-structured interview was used to characterize socio-economic data, the "Day in the Life" technique for understanding the child's unique family context, followed by an Interview Guide for Parents or Guardians of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which investigated perceptions of disorder and experiences with child care. After the primary caregiver interview, a psychosocial intervention was developed, consisting of therapeutic sessions conducted via video calls, lasting up to three months, complemented by a Therapeutic Diary and concluded with a Therapeutic Letter for feedback to the participants. For the analysis of research productions, Content Analysis was used, grouping by similarities, resulting in categories (BARDIN, 2020). The results from the health team showed that the participants were speech therapists and psychologists, with four or more years of experience in the institution, providing guidance when requested by the family. Perceptions about the disorder and family relationships were categorized to highlight polarization regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder, based on deficits and potentials in understanding the disorder. Concerning parents or guardians, there was a notable involvement of mothers as caregivers of male children without any other coexisting condition besides autism spectrum. The psychosocial intervention revealed complexities of the child and their family context, challenges with the family routine, weaknesses, and potentials of the support network, successful experiences, and barriers to accessing health and educational assistance, pandemic repercussions, and potentials for transforming the family's reality. It is considered that the family should be at the core of actions regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder for health production and protection of its members, requiring qualified and continuous interdisciplinary care to meet demands and develop potentials.