I bambini della luna: impatto emotivo dell'autismo infantile e tecniche riabilitative

This study reviews the main aetiological theories of autistic syndromes, from dynamic and relational to biogenetic and cognitive ones. The study then focuses on the emotional and affective consequences of living with an autistic child and on the particularities of psycho-pedagogical intervention and on the effectiveness of rehabilitation and special pedagogy treatments, with a concrete clinical case study. The main research evidences of rehabilitation techniques are examined according to the TEACCH and ABA methodological scheme. Finally, the applicability and effectiveness of animalassisted therapy or pet therapy is examined, with its main technical variants centered on the hippotherapy. This work is not limited to a theoretical and critical review of the models of pedagogical and rehabilitative intervention, but includes a research report of a psychopedagogical rehabilitation experience with hippotherapy of children with Kanner's syndrome.