Fundamentals of Psychological and Pedagogical Diagnostics of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

The article presents the complex of psychodiagnostic methods for determining the degree of autism and social competences of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Diagnostic methods are determined to use for primary and in-depth diagnostics of ASD children as the basis for the development of educational and developmental programs in the inclusive space: М-СHAT, screening diagnostic method SСQ – for screening children aged 1,5–3 years and definition of the risk group of the autistic spectrum; CARS, CASD, ADI-R techniques – to determine the main characteristics of ASD children; Bine-Simon’s techniques, LEITER-3, and O.R. Luria method – to determine the level of mental development; PEP-R method – to determine the psycho-educational profile of ASD children. The validity criteria of the LEITER-3 and Binet-Simon method for determining the level of intelligence in autistic children were checked and recommended to use for diagnostics of ASD children. The stage of analysis and interpretation of the results is the development of an individual development program: an analysis of the results of the survey by each method. To analyze the quantitative results of the study the mathematical and statistical methods of processing using the software package STATISTICA-8.0 were applied: comparative analysis according to Student t-criterion, factor, cluster and correlation analyzes; holistic interpretation of results; creation of the profile of the child’s development and compilation of psychological characteristics; statement of psychological diagnosis; determination of the direction of correctional and pedagogical and educational work; implementation of the child’s development forecast; development of an individual program of correction of development; defining directions for working with parents; joint decision-making by parents and specialists on the further route of the child. The complex of diagnostic methods that allow to optimize the diagnostics of children with ASD was revealed: M-СHAT, screening diagnostic method SСQ – for carrying out screening of children aged 1,5–3 years and determination of the risk group of the autistic spectrum; CARS, CASD, ADI-R techniques – to determine the main characteristics of children with RSA, LEITER-3, O. R. Luria – to determine the level of mental development; PEP-R methodology – to determine the psycho-educational profile of children with ASD. The comparative analysis of foreign and domestic diagnostic methods for implementation of psychological and pedagogical diagnostics of children with ASD; In particular, the validity criteria of the LEITER-3 for determining the level of intelligence in autistic children were checked. The final step is to present the results of the survey to parents of the child, providing recommendations for future work with the child, discuss and agree short and long-term goals and the definition of further education and rehabilitation route of the child, and also for implementing individual program development.

Keywords

• diagnosis
• competence
• children
• autism spectrum disorders
• inclusive education.