Cadernos de Pós-Graduação em Distúrbios do Desenvolvimento
ISSN 1519-0307 ISSN 1809-4139
FERREIRA, Jackeline Tuan Costa; MIRA, Natália Fernanda; CARBONERO, Flávia Cristina CAMPOS, Denise. Effects of physical therapy in autistic children: case series study. []. , 16, 2, pp.24-32. ISSN 1519-0307. https://doi.org/10.5935/1809-4139.20160004.
INTRODUCTION:Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by impairment in three areas of development: social interaction, communication and behavior. It is believed that the physiotherapy in these patients can contribute to motor development, activation of concentration of areas and social integration. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate pre autistic children and after physiotherapy. METHODS: This was a case study with five children diagnosed with autism. For evaluation we used two instruments: Autism Rating Scale in Childhood and Middle Functional Independence. The children received individual physiotherapy. Each session lasted 30 minutes, once weekly for 6 months. RESULTS: It was found that all children, even those classified with severe degree of autism, had increase in the scores of the scales and become less dependent on caregivers, after physiotherapy. CONCLUSION: It was concluded, therefore, that the therapy was effective in this treatment for children with autism.
: Neurodevelopmental disorders; Autistic disorder; Physical therapy specialty.