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Di Renzo, M., Bianchi di Castelbianco, F., Vanadia, E., Petrillo, M., Racinaro, L. and Rea, M. (2016) From the Emotional Integration to the Cognitive Construction: The Developmental Approach of Turtle Project in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Open Access, 6, 160.

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: The Theoretical Principles of the Body-Centered Therapy to Promote Affective Attunement in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

  AUTHORS: Magda Di Renzo

  KEYWORDS: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Body-Centered Therapy, Affective Attunement, Mentalizing, Clinical Observation

  JOURNAL NAME: Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science, Vol.7 No.12, November 22, 2017

  ABSTRACT: Background: The roots of autism spectrum disorders become evident in first attunement mechanisms between mother and child that allow a first level of mentalizing. Neurosciences and current developmental theories confirm the existence of defensive mechanisms related to body and affectivity that psychodynamic theories had already highlighted. Reading child’s behavior not only by administering tests but also through careful clinical observations allows a better understanding of the communication and social difficulties present in autistic children. The identification of the zone of proximal development can promote a therapeutic intervention that respects the individuality of the child and the specificity of his relational approach to the world. Conclusion: The paper presents the theoretical principles of a body-centered therapy to promote the attunement processes necessary to activate cognitive resources.