Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents with difficulties in social communication, repetitive and/or restricted behaviors, as well as variable language development. Individuals with suspected ASD ideally participate in assessments which include measures of cognitive abilities, adaptive functioning, language functioning, and ASD specific measures (i.e., ADOS, ADI-R). Diagnosis of ASD can occur confidently at 2 years of age, however, the mean age at diagnosis is 4-5 years old. Delays in diagnosis are accounted for by lacking professionals and centers with the capabilities to assess ASD, as well as long waitlists for assessments. Early identification and intervention have been shown to provide the best improvements in ASD symptomology. The aim of the current study was to conduct a program evaluation of an autism treatment center that was designed to provide high quality evidence-based interventions. The study determined if treatment-as-usual in that center yields the expected gains in adaptive functioning and corresponding decreases in barriers to learning. Results indicated improvement in scores on standardized direct assessment of milestone achievement and barriers to learning, but no significant improvement in adaptive skills via secondary informant questionnaire measures following 6 months of treatment. The overall sample size was small due to COVID-19 complications, lack of institutional procedures, and limited client pool. Further investigation into the treatment practices and reevaluation strategies for individuals with ASD is required.

Submitted by Bruna Rodrigues (bruna92rodrigues@yahoo.com.br) on 2017-10-03T13:23:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseMCCM.pdf: 4302375 bytes, checksum: b35a785ffde6e9fac0ef29ac58d61c15 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (bco.producao.intelectual@gmail.com) on 2018-01-29T16:17:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseMCCM.pdf: 4302375 bytes, checksum: b35a785ffde6e9fac0ef29ac58d61c15 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (bco.producao.intelectual@gmail.com) on 2018-01-29T16:18:01Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseMCCM.pdf: 4302375 bytes, checksum: b35a785ffde6e9fac0ef29ac58d61c15 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-01-29T16:26:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseMCCM.pdf: 4302375 bytes, checksum: b35a785ffde6e9fac0ef29ac58d61c15 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-06 / Não recebi financiamento / The Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) authored by Mark Sundberg provides a systematic assessment for children with autism and similar delays and has become a frequent tool among those who gives consultations in this área. Divided into five components, the VB-MAPP evaluates samples of the child’s verbal repertoire from 170 developmental milestones presented in three levels (0 -18 months, 18-30 months and 30-48). The aim of this study was to translate and adapt the VB-MAPP to the Portuguese language and propose a way to qualify professionals to implement it properly. Study 1 translated and adapted to Portuguese Chapters 1 to 6 and the corresponding protocol scoring form. Study 2 tested the effect of a Behavioral Skill Training to improve the performance of the professionals in conducting the VB-MAPP. Items from a list of skills were used to measure the performance of each participant in specific tasks (Level 1, 2 and 3) of this assessment tool. The study consisted of three phases: pretest, training and posttest. Ten participants were divided into two groups: control and experimental. Both groups performed the pretest and posttest, but the training was only mandatory for the experimental group. In the pretest phase all participants received the Portuguese version of The VBMAPP and had to assess one child each. Training phase was composed of a BST package (instruction, modeling, reharsal and feedback). Only Level 1 and 2 tasks were taught. Both groups repeated the assessment in the posttest phase, however, the experimental group had an additional task: implementing the Level 3 tasks of the VB -MAPP. Still in the posttest phase, two participants (P3 and P6), presenting lower overall performances than the other participants of the experimental group, were selected for five additional posttest sessions. The results showed that all participants in the experimental group developed skills to implement The VB-MAPP regarding Level 1 and 2 tasks. About the performance of the experimental group in Level 3 tasks, it was possible to say that generalization occurred for some, but not all behaviors. The results were higher than the pretests, but lower when compared to the Level 1 and 2 tasks. Among the factors that may have contributed to this partial result we highlight: (1) Level 3 tasks are more complex than the Levels 1 and 2 and may require evaluators with more experience (2) only some milestones were selected for Level 3 testing and not all of them. As for participants P3 and P6, after a total of six posttest viii sessions, they maintained the percentage of correct answers higher than 90% for Level 1 and 2 tasks and 85% for Level 3 tasks. / O Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) de autoria de Mark L. Sundberg oferece uma avaliação sistematizada para crianças autistas ou com atrasos similares e se tornou um instrumento de uso frequente entre aqueles que planejam e implementam atendimentos nessa área. Dividido em cinco componentes, o VB-MAPP avalia uma amostra do repertório verbal da criança a partir de 170 marcos de desenvolvimento que são apresentados em três níveis (0 -18 meses; 18-30 meses e 30-48). O objetivo do presente trabalho foi realizar a tradução e adaptação do VB-MAPP para o português, bem como, propôr uma forma de capacitar profissionais para implementá-lo adequadamente. O Estudo 1 traduziu e adaptou para o português o VB-MAPP manual capítulos 1 ao 6 e o protocolo de registro correspondente. As etapas envolveram a participação de dois tradutores independentes, avaliação de especialistas e estudo piloto. O Estudo 2 testou o efeito de um treino de habilidades comportamentais (Behavioral Skill Training- BST) para aprimorar o desempenho de profissionais da área da pedagogia e psicologia na implementação do VB-MAPP. A variável dependente foi a porcentagem de acertos de uma lista de itens, chamada de Avaliação de Desempenho, que serviu de parâmetro para mensurar as habilidades de avaliador dos participantes em tarefas de Nível 1, 2 e 3 do VB-MAPP. O estudo foi composto por 3 fases: pré-teste, treinamento e pós-teste. Dez participantes foram divididos em dois grupos: controle e experimental. Ambos os grupos particiaram da fase de pré-teste e pós- teste, porém, o treinamento foi obrigatório para o grupo experimental. Na fase do pré -teste todos receberam a versão adaptada para o português do VB-MAPP e cada participante avaliou uma criança. Depois, somente o grupo experimental passou pela fase de treinamento, sendo exposto a um pacote BST. O BST, composto por instrução, modelação, ensaio e feedback, foi a variável independente Somente habilidades de Nível 1 e 2 foram ensinadas. Na fase do pós -teste os dois grupos repetiram a avaliação do pré-teste com a mesma criança, porém, o grupo experimental teve uma tarefa adicional: implementar tarefas de Nível 3 do VB MAPP não ensinadas durante o treinamento. Nessa etapa foi observado a eficácia do treinamento em promover generalização das habilidades de avaliador para as tarefas de Nível 3. Ainda na fase de pósteste, dois participantes (P3 e P6), apresentando desempenhos gerais inferiores aos outros vi participantes do grupo experimental, foram selecionados para 05 sessões adicionais de pósteste e avaliaram novas crianças. Os resultados do primeiro pós-teste mostraram que todos os participantes do grupo experimental desenvolveram as habilidades de avaliador esperadas para implementar o VB-MAPP depois do treinamento, indicando a eficácia do BST. Em relação ao desempenho nas tarefas de Nível 3, foi possível dizer que ocorreu generalização para alguns comportamentos, mas não todos. Os resultados foram superiores aos do pré – teste, mas inferiores quando comparados com os desempenhos de Nível 1 e 2. Entre os fatores que podem ter contribuído para esse resultado parcial destacamos: (1) as tarefas de Nível 3 são mais complexas que as dos Níveis 1 e 2 e podem exigir avaliadores com maior experiência nesse tipo de tarefa (2) apenas alguns itens ou marcos foram selecionados para a testagem do Nível 3 e não a totalidade deles. Quanto aos participantes P3 e P6, após um total de seis sessões de pós- teste, mantiveram a porcentagem de acertos superior a 90% nas tarefas de Nível 1 e 2 e 85% de acertos nas tarefas de Nível 3.

The aim of this thesis is to describe and evaluate the education of an autistic pupil in the mainstream school according to the principles of applied behavioural analysis. The default method is the Pennsylvania Verbal Behavior Project, which was implemented at a Czech primary school. The thesis presents a theoretical description of this educational method and its particular techniques. Their practical application is illustrated by the research case study report of a pupil, who was observed in my research. In this research case analysis, I have analysed the input skills of the observed pupil and his progress in particular areas and evaluated status not only according to the VB-MAPP diagnostic material. Description of the development of verbal behaviour is the core objective systematically developed by this educational method and it is an integral part of the pupil's active participation in joint learning. The thesis comes with a new perspective on the education of pupils with autism in the framework of common education at primary school. Pupils involved in this type of education can enter the school even though they are not yet adequately equipped with verbal skills and would not benefit from frontal teaching and common learning process. They are integrated into the ordinary class with respect to...