Introduction.

The new contributions on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the stimulation of mirror neurons have applicability in the phonoaudiological intervention processes since the theory of mirror neurons, described in 2009 by Iacoboni, establishes that people with this condition have a deficit in imitation, in addition to an almost null development of empathy, which causes alterations in social behaviors and conducts.

Objective.

To construct, based on the theory of mirror neurons, an intervention protocol for social interaction skills in pediatric population (4-6 years) with ASD with support level 1 in order to promote a phonoaudiological intervention with an ecologically valid approach.

Methods.

The study was developed under the mixed methods research with qualitative predominance, this being a cross-sectional research with a descriptive scope under the multilevel mixed nested design in six stages.

Results.

The conceptual modules of the designed intervention protocol for social interaction skills include joint attention, verbal and nonverbal imitation, communicative intentionality, understanding and expression of emotions, and play skills. It is emphasized that this protocol is based on joint attention, since this is the first condition on which communication is built and, therefore, social interactions skills are developed.

Conclusions.

An intervention protocol developed under an ecological model allows the adaptation of intervention activities to natural environments based on representative stimuli, thus achieving efficiency in the development of interaction skills guided to different typical social contexts.

        · resumo em Espanhol     · texto em Espanhol     · Espanhol ( pdf )