[Language therapy results with adolescents of the autistic spectrum]

Abstract

Background: Results of language therapy with adolescents and children with autistic spectrum disorders.

Aim: to identify changes, after a six-month period of speech-language therapy, in a group of adolescents and to compare them with a group of children.

Method: Data referring to the communicative profile and social-cognitive performance of 12 adolescents and 12 children were analyzed.

Results: Just one of the 10 observed areas presented meaningful progress for the group of adolescents and 5 areas presented progress for group of children.

Conclusion: The results reinforce the importance of language therapy for autistic children, as more progress can be obtained at this age.