Perspectives on autism. Spectrum Disorder

This book represents one of the intellectual outputs of the European project “Innovative Academic Course on Integrative Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders - IACIIC-ASD” (KA2 - Cooperation for Innovation and the Exchange of Good Practices - KA203 Strategic Partnership for Higher Education), which lasted from 2017 to 2019. The coordinator of the project was the West University of Timisoara (Romania), and the partners were the Sveuciliste u Zabrebu Educacijsko-Rehabilitacijski Acijski Facultet (Croatia), and “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu (Romania) and Università degli Studi di Firenze (Italy). Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by repetitive and specific patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction. At international level, the theme of ASD has received particular attention in recent years from the point of view of educational policies and educational institutions, from which the need to take stock of this issue at European level. The book is structured in three parts: the first one is theoretical, the second one includes contributions concerning specific aspects of ASD, and the third gathers some studies emphasizing the national contexts. Loredana Al Ghazi, Dr., is a senior lecturer at Educational Sciences Department, Faculty of Sociology and Psychology from West University of Timisoara, Romania. She has BA in Psychology, MEd in Special Education and PhD in Psychology. She is a licensed expert psychologist in special education, clinical psychology, educational psychology and counselling. She is the cofounder and Director of the University Clinic for Therapies an Psycho- pedagogical Counselling. Her professional, academic and scientific activity is focused on educational and therapeutic approach of person with TSA, well-being, developmental psychology and existential therapy. She is author and co-author of several books and articles on these topics and has developed and conducted trainings for teachers and specialists from educational field. Tamara Zappaterra, Ph.D., is Associate Professor in Teaching and Special Pedagogy at the Università degli Studi di Ferrara, previously at Università degli Studi di Firenze. She has been a member of the Board of the Italian Society of Special Pedagogy (SIPeS). She collaborates with the Ministry of Education (MIUR), as a member of the scientific committee to train teachers and educators on the issues of inclusion. Her research concerns pedagogical and didactic topics on the subject of disability and inclusion. Among her last publications: La dislessia (with L. Trisciuzzi, 2014); Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento all’Università (co-edited with S. Zecchi and G. Campatelli, 2016); Children’s play. Multifaceted aspects (co-edited with S. Besio, 2018).