**Chapter 16 281**

Perspective Chapter: "The Knowing How to Regulate Oneself" – Transversal Competence between Parenting Skills, Biological Determination, Deficits in Primary or Secondary Disorders, and the Role of Specific Rehabilitation in Developmental Age

*by Francesco Cerroni, Raffaella Salatiello, Paola Alessandra Albano and Ludovica Cira Nocerino*

Preface

The Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote in his work Politics that "man is by nature a social animal; an individual who is unsocial naturally and not accidentally is either beneath our notice or more than human." Thus, typical social development represents

Social skills and interactions form the foundation of human consciousness and dictate many human thoughts and activities. Social skills emerge gradually during developmental age through a dynamic interaction between an individual and the environment. These skills are critical to an individual's ability to develop and maintain

Multiple decades of study have identified the so-called social brain, which includes the facial fusiform area (FFA), posterior superior temporal sulcus (PST), amygdala, temporoparietal junction (TPJ), anterior medial rostral prefrontal cortex (MPFC), the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the anterior temporal cortex (ATC), and the inferior frontal gyrus. Studies based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) show differences in the development of activity patterns in some of these regions, and more recently in synaptic functioning. Furthermore, MRI allows us to detect the continuous

structural development of some brain regions during the developmental age.

the gaps in our knowledge of this complex and challenging disorder.

strategies.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication along with repetitive stereotypic behaviors. Currently, there are no specific biomarkers for diagnostic screening or treatments available for autistic patients. ASD represents an increasingly important health emergency throughout the life span, but its onset in early childhood seriously alters the developmental trajectory. In the last two decades, the level of knowledge and social acceptance of this neurodevelopmental disorder has certainly changed positively. Unfortunately, there is still much to be elucidated about ASD, particularly its diagnosis and treatment. As such, a book like this is needed to fill in

This book presents different and innovative conceptual perspectives of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for ASD, ranging from mathematical models to therapeutic

The emergence of social neuroscience is providing a framework for exploring the neural foundation of social skills. Although this area has attracted increased interest in recent years, to date little attention has been paid to: (1) substantiating these findings in children and adolescents, whose nervous systems are still rapidly developing, (2) using development-based principles, which could provide insight into typical and atypical maturation patterns, and the environmental factors that could influence them, and (3) determining the potential clinical and therapeutic management. We believe that the emergence of multidimensional theoretical paradigms is essential to

lasting relationships and participate and function within communities.

a milestone in the life of every individual, regardless of their age.
