Abstract:

The research aim:
The main aim of the research series is to analyse the speech and language therapy (SLT) approach to the assessment and intervention of autism spectrum disorders, especially in the context of very challenging pragmatic language level abilities and skills assessment. The related area are the specific needs and pre-professional approach to the autism spectrum disorders as a type of so-called symptomatic speech disorders from the perspective of speech and language therapy university students. The analysed speech and language therapy approach is based on a direct connection with special needs education, the principle of the inclusive professional environment and interdisciplinary approach.

Methodology:
The questionnaire was used to analyse different groups of speech and language therapists working in educational, clinical and social institutions in the Czech Republic in order to analyse their professional approach and experience with the issue of autism spectrum disorders assessment and intervention. Similarly, another questionnaire, addressed to university undergraduate students of speech and language therapy, was focused on their perception of the issue of autism spectrum disorders in the context of their knowledge, practical experience and pre-professional beliefs resulting from their attitude to symptomatic speech disorders as an area of communication ability studies and possible future special needs education engagement basis.

Discussion of the results:
Resulting from our research, the group of speech and language therapists working in health institution (clinical speech and language therapists) meets the clients with autism spectrum disorders more often than others, what was a bit surprising. The biggest group consist of nonverbal clients with severe forms of autism, but as a positive result we should mention the fact that comparing with previous years, they are more frequently faced to clients with minor ASD forms with deficits of pragmatic language level abilities and skills. The results of the analysis of the students´ responses are further discussed and compared.

Keywords:

Autism spectrum disorders, speech and language therapy, university students, symptomatic speech disorders, pragmatic language level, assessment.