AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD): THE IMPORTANCE OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY INTERVENTION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF COGNITIVE SKILLS

Abstract

Child development is influenced by biological, environmental, and social factors, with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) being a condition that significantly affects areas such as communication, social interaction, and cognition. Alterations in cognitive functions, such as attention, memory, and language, directly impact the learning process and the child’s overall development. In this context, speech- language pathology intervention stands out as a fundamental strategy for stimulating these skills, especially when initiated early. This study aimed to describe the importance of speech-language pathology intervention in the development of cognitive skills in children with ASD, considering its contributions to communication, social interaction, and learning. This is a descriptive bibliographic review with a qualitative approach, based on the analysis of studies published between 2022 and 2026 in the PubMed, SciELO, and Virtual Health Library databases. Peer-reviewed articles addressing speech-language pathology intervention in cognitive development in children with ASD were included, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. The results showed that speech-language pathology intervention significantly contributes to cognitive development, particularly through the stimulation of language, functional communication, and social interaction. Strategies such as Augmentative and Alternative Communication, individualized interventions, and child-centered approaches demonstrated positive effects on joint attention, memory, thinking development, and learning. Furthermore, early and multidisciplinary intervention was found to enhance therapeutic outcomes. It is concluded that speech- language pathology intervention plays an essential role in the cognitive development of children with ASD, acting as a mediator of communicative and social functions. There is a need for further research to strengthen evidence-based practices and contribute to the development of more effective clinical protocols.