Análise do perfil e dos efeitos cognitivos em crianças com Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo ou deficiência intelectual participantes de equoterapia no sertão paraibano.

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder ­ ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by stereotyped behaviors and difficulties in socio­communicative skills, whose etiology is multifactorial and the diagnosis is associated with clinical manifestations, such as: communication deficits, behavioral changes, hypersensitivity, psychomotor delays, changes in cognitive abilities and others. From these clinical manifestations, I sought therapeutic methods capable of promoting the biopsychomotor development of children with ASD, such as Equine Therapy, which involves an inter/multidisciplinary approach in the areas of health, education and riding, through the use of the horse as the main kinesiotherapeutic tool capable of provide the practitioner with benefits in motor, sensory, behavioral and social aspects, thus resulting in biopsychosocial and sensorimotor development. In view of these aspects, hippotherapy is one of the complementary therapy alternatives that best meets the particularities of children with ASD and/or Intellectual Disability ­ ID today, thus justifying the growing number of children with ASD and DI in centers and associations of hippotherapy. Thus, we sought to analyze the clinical profile and the effects of hippotherapy on the three main cognitive domains of children with ASD and/or ID who practice hippotherapy in the state of Paraíba ­ Brazil, through two chapters that are part of this dissertation. Chapter I, which described the benefits of equine therapies in the cognitive areas of children with ASD/autism, through a systematic review and meta­analysis of 29 studies on the topic. In which, the results found showed significa nt improvements in the following cognitive areas: social cognitive, behavioral, communication and social affective. In chapter II, it analyzed the clinical profile of practitioners of hippotherapy in the State of Paraíba, Northeast of Brazil and the effects of hippotherapy on the cognitive aspects of children with ASD and ID. Data and observations present in three hippotherapy centers located in the cities of Areia, João Pessoa and Patos were analyzed. Through blended procedures and electronic (online) questionnaires, developed by authors and interdisciplinary professionals working in hippotherapy centers. The application of the questionnaires took place in two moments: the first associated with the organization and structure of the centers, with the participation of professionals and managers of the centers; and the second referring to the cognitive effects from the perspectives of the practitioners' legal guardians. As a result, it was identified that the centers have adequate physical structures to carry out hippotherapy treatments and a predominance of practitioners with a neurological clinical profile, in addition to high numbers of cases of practitioners with ASD and multiple disabilities. Regarding the cognitive effects analyzed in a sample of 15 practitioners with ASD and ID, positive effects were observed in the three cognitive domains, highlighting the cognitive and social cognitive areas. Thus, this study is of great relevance for children and individuals in general with ASD and ID, given that the benefits of hippotherapy in cognitive aspects are not clarified in the literature.