Avaliação da adequação dos níveis de funcionalidade do VB-MAPP em uma amostra de crianças brasileiras.

Abstract

The Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) is a criteria-based assessment tool that can be used as a curriculum guide and repertoire development monitoring system for children with autism and other developmental disorders. The three levels of VB-MAPP were established from typical child development milestones derived primarily from studies with US or European children. Considering the socioeconomic and cultural differences that exist between the United States/Europe and Brazil, this study analyzed the adequacy of VB-MAPP functional levels for the evaluation of verbal, social and motor repertoires of a sample of 61 Brazilian children with typical development, living in Belém do Pará, of both sexes and aged between one and five years. The results showed that the functional levels proposed in the VB-MAPP were adequate to evaluate repertoires of a sample of Brazilian children with typical development, increasing the data on the external validity of the instrument. Based on these results it is suggested the relevance of the use of VB-MAPP in the Brazilian context.