Elaboração e implementação de estratégias de avaliação e suporte acadêmico a estudantes com TEA no ensino superior

Abstract

In the last decade, there has been an increase in the enrollment of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in higher education. The university environment, with its requirements for autonomy, has been a challenge for them, due to their difficulties in mastering executive functions, adapting to social demands, study habits, sensory aspects and self-defense. In addition to comorbidities such as anxiety, stress, depression and attention deficit disorder present in many cases. For this reason, some countries have been committed to research and adequate support services for these students. Brazil still suffers from a lack of evidence-based studies and services aimed at adults with ASD. In view of this, the general objective of this doctoral thesis is to develop and implement assessment strategies and academic support for students with ASD in higher education. It consists of three studies that aim to: a) Study 1: implement a communication skills training procedure in a classroom environment in order to favor the interaction of participants with their monitors, colleagues and teachers; b) Study 2: test the usefulness of behavioral repertoire assessment lists developed with the objective of identifying social, academic skills, independent and transitional behavior in students; c) Study 3: evaluate the effectiveness of a teaching procedure and monitoring of appropriate study routines in a home environment in relation to study environment preparation skills. The results showed that the interventions implemented in Studies 1 and 3 produced behavioral changes that favored the mastery of academic skills in all participants. As for Study 2, the application of the assessment lists made it possible to identify the level of participants' difficulties. This doctoral thesis contributes to the development of Applied Behavior Analysis towards investigation and intervention into problems in higher education for people diagnosed with ASD.