A educação assistida por animais no contexto do atendimento educacional especializado com crianças e adolescentes com transtorno do espectro autista: possibilidades de aprendizagem

Abstract

This research is about Animal-Assisted Education (AAE), a subcategory of Animal-Assisted Services (AASs) using dogs as an aid in mediating the learning of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In this sense, the aim of the research was to see how dogs, based on Animal Assisted Education, can be used in the learning process of children and adolescents with ASD in Specialized Educational Assistance (SEA). The methodology used was qualitative, observational and exploratory, based on bibliographical and field research and a case study. The participants in this study were two students from the municipal school system, aged 7 and 13, both diagnosed with ASD and enrolled in Specialized Educational Assistance (SEA) in the municipality of Gramado, RS. Data collection took place during fifteen one-hour sessions, twice a week. During the sessions, the dog was used to help mediate pedagogical and social skills activities, stimulating reading, writing, communication, executive functions and social skills. Data analysis is based on Discursive Textual Analysis, with the construction of categories of analysis. As a result of the research, we can highlight that: a) there are many normative documents that ensure inclusive processes at school and students with ASD have guarantees provided for by specific laws, however, the feasibility or effectiveness of these laws does not always occur as it should; b) the students participating in the research had a good interaction with the dog during the ESA sessions, carrying out almost all the activities proposed by the teacher. Therefore, it is possible to state that the dog can be a positive reinforcer in the development of social skills and executive functions in which the students have difficulties. c) However, due to the few interventions carried out, it was not possible to observe other skills, in addition to those identified in the case study of each of the two participants. The data collected suggest that there should be more research into AAS, especially with dogs, extended intervention time and more participants, especially practitioners diagnosed with Level 2 and 3 ASD. Therefore, it became clear that it is possible to offer SAA in the AEE, however, human resources, a trained dog and adequate physical space are required to do so.