Análise do comportamento aplicada ao transtorno do espectro autista: conhecimento e interesse dos profissionais do Sistema Único de Saúde de São José do Rio Preto

Abstract

Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has increased in the world population, with estimates of 20 cases per 10,000 inhabitants. In the Unified Health System (SUS), cases diagnosed as AED should be treated by multidisciplinary teams in specialized services. Interventions with ASA patients based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) are recognized as one of the most effective treatments. In Sao Jose do Rio Preto / SP, the number of patients with ASD has increased significantly over the past four years. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the knowledge and interest regarding ABA, of the professionals who work with TEA patients in SUS, in São José do Rio Preto; trace their academic and professional profile; know aspects related to their work with patients with ASD; map their training demands; and assess the prevalence of ABA methods in their practices. Method: This is an exploratory descriptive study conducted with 31 professionals from four municipal institutions that attend children diagnosed with ASD. Data were collected through semi-structured self-administration questionnaire with 34 questions. Initially, the questionnaire was used in a pilot study with 12 participants. Following this, a revised version was applied to 19 other participants. Results: participants were 41.22 years old on average, 83.87% were female (n = 26) and 93.54% (n = 29) had higher education. Regarding work with ASD, 93.54% (n = 29) of the participants work directly or indirectly with these patients, although only a little more than half, 58.06% (n = 18), reported having had some contact with ASD patients before their current work on SUS, and 87% (n = 27) reported perceiving difficulties in this care. In addition, 90.32% (n = 28) reported seeking improvement on autism to better serve the population. With respect to possess prior knowledge and interest about the ABA intervention, 61.29% (n = 19) of participants reported having no knowledge about. In general, these participants, when referring to ABA, specified some of the basic principles of experimenta analysis of behavior (positive and negative reinforcements, extinction). They reported understanding the purposes of the ABA methodology, mainly in terms of learning new skills, improving patient functionality and adaptation, and developing communication. Twenty-seven (87.09%) participants reported having an interest in knowing more about ABA; and only 4 participants (12.90%) said they had no prior knowledge or interest in learning more. Regarding the prevalence of ABA method in their practices, although some participants (n = 3) reported having performed ABA-based interventions, none of them had specific training on that. The few knowledge cited concerns readings and explanations of the method in punctual courses on TEA. Conclusion: The data obtained allows a better understanding of the profile of the professionals, their performance and practice in the care with TEA patient, and about the potentialities and limitations that they face in their daily work. This makes possible planning of training programs for development of more effective care strategies to assist and support these patients with such specific and challenging complaints.