Cognitive and emotional support therapy: TECA: Therapeutic effects in children with autism intellectual disabilities

Based on an emotional dynamic and a non-directive approach that takes into account the child's stage of development and offers them activities situated within their zone of proximal development, 'Cognitive and Emotional Support Therapy' (TECA) enhances the development of cognitive and socio-emotional abilities in children with autism. A comparison between children with autism, children with intellectual disabilities (in this case, those with Down's syndrome) and typically developing children highlights the developmental characteristics of each of the subgroups formed, as well as the effects of the therapeutic intervention. The developmental assessment tool used is J.L. Adrien's Cognitive and Social Development Assessment Battery (BECS). To collect data on the therapy, a scoring grid has been designed and validated: the TECA-G.