| Abstract [eng] |
The aim of the Master degree paper is to reveal abilities of functional behaviour assessment of toddlers with autism spectrum disorder based on collaboration among families and speech language therapist. The research is based on a qualitative research methodology. Method of structured interview, method of content analysis and method of scientific literature analysis, case study were applied to the research. Autistic children (N=4), their family members (N=4), kindergartner (N=1), assistants of kindergartnener (N=2), speech language therapist, who are working in health care institutions, educational institutions of Lithuania (N=16) were participated in the research . Based on a theoretical analysis of sources, autism is defined as a neurological disorder that affects social, verbal and non-verbal communication, imagination, and limited activity and interest. Autism can be accompanied by other disorders and diseases. Signs of autism are seen in infancy, but the disorder is usually detected at a later age. The causes and characteristics of autism are explained by theories such as Mind, Mindblindness, Anthropomorphism, Central Coherence, Executive Dysfunction, Empathising – Systemising (E-S). Functional Behavior Assessment enables you to get to know your child in different contexts with different people, to identify the causes of the behavior, and to identify appropriate strategies that encourage the child's positive behavior. Based on functional behavior assessment questionnaires, parents and professionals alike assess child behavior in a familiar environment, noting that problem behaviors are provoked by changes in the environment and people, sensory stimuli, participation in group activities, changing activities, and inability to express contradiction properly. Specialists, unlike parents, emphasize that problematic behavior in children stems from a lack of functional language and a lack of understanding of verbal language. Parents and professionals also behave differently when episodes of child maltreatment occur. According to the assessment of functional behavior, every child has a plan for maintaining positive behavior, the reasons for each child's behavior are taken into account, emphasis is placed on the formation of functional language that would allow changing the child's problem behavior. Speech therapists assess the behavior of an autistic child based on observation in different settings, talking to parents or other professionals. Based on the assessment of the child's functional behavior, professionals support positive child behavior through structured learning, motivating children according to their needs. They also work with families, peers, colleagues or professionals from other institutions. Some speech therapists note that not all parents tend to cooperate and avoid recognizing child behavior problems. Based on the researcher's self-reflection, the research made it possible to test the methodology of functional behavior assessment in practice. According to the researcher, functional behavioral assessment helped speech therapists and parents to explain children's behavioral motives, identify causes of behavior, and choose appropriate education strategies. |
