TITLE: Speech and language therapy intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders AUTHOR: Michaela Horáková DEPARTMENT: Department of special education SUPERVISOR: Mgr. Lucie Durdilová ABSTRACT: This bachelor thesis is devoted to speech and language therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders. The theoretical part deals with autism spectrum disorders, focusing on their classification, etiology, symptomatology with an emphasis on qualitative impairment in communication, and care options for preschool children with these disorders. The thesis also concerns with the theoretical bases of speech and language therapy intervention provided for children with autism spectrum disorders. The practical part is devoted to communication improvement in special nursery school. It includes case studies of two boys with autism. The aim of this qualitative research investigation is to evaluate children's communication skills, describe the intervention methods to improve their communication, and describe work with children in the classroom, focusing on stimulation of their communication competencies. KEYWORDS: Autism spectrum disorders; speech and language therapy intervention; communication improvement; alternative and augmentative communication; preschool education
