ABSTRACT
Early Intervention (EI) in the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is effective when professionals perform it based on family-centered practices. Thus, the professional has the responsibility to facilitate and provide resources to promote the participation and recognition of the skills of families, so that they can achieve effective benefits of EI. The purpose of the present article was to analyze and understand the benefits of EI support for six mothers of children with ASD, aged 3 to 6 years, as well as the type of participation that these mothers consider having in the EI support process. In this sense, the following research objectives were defined: 1) To analyze and understand the level of participation of mothers in different phases of the support process (planning and intervention); 2) To analyze and understand the benefits of EI support. The methodology was qualitative, the data collection instrument was a semi-structured interview and data analysis technique was content analysis. The overall results of this study allow us to conclude that: all participants considered they obtained EI benefits in various areas of development of their children. Most of the women felt satisfied with the support, they are informed about their rights and have a positive relationship/interaction with the case-management professionals. Families who participated in the Individualized Family Service Plan identified not only their goals, concerns and priorities, but also participated in the implementation of the Plan in their natural contexts.
KEYWORDS:
Especial Education; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Family Participation; Early Intervention