A terapia ocupacional utilizando a comunicação alternativa na inclusão escolar de crianças com transtorno do espectro autista

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This work aims to explore the school inclusion of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), specifically non-verbal ones. Therefore, it is up to Occupational Therapy to promote autonomy through alternative communication, giving voice, and enabling the child's socialization. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the role of the occupational therapist in the use of alternative communication in the school inclusion of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. METHODOLOGY: Qualitative bibliographic review, searched in the databases Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO), and other places that deal with the subject, which were published between 2011 and 2022. RESULTS: Occupational Therapy, using alternative communication in school inclusion, presents in a positive way, where it allows the best exchange between the ASD child and the people in their school routine, thus being able to improve the quality of learning, social interaction, and school participation. CONCLUSION: There are still few studies that address Occupational Therapy and the use of alternative communication in the school inclusion of non-verbal ASD, however, there is a need for the occupational therapist professional to accompany children in their school development.