Publishing date: 1 April 2026 Immagine notizia Immagine Paragrafo Strengthening the link between clinical practice, research, and training in order to improve the early diagnosis and management of neurodevelopmental disorders. This is the objective of the structured collaboration established between the Università degli Studi dell'Insubria and Villa Santa Maria, a Multi-Service Centre for Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry based in Tavernerio (Como), and, in synergy with the Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry unit of ASST Sette Laghi. A series of shared projects is now under way to bring together clinical expertise, scientific research, and advanced training pathways, with the ambition of building an increasingly effective and replicable model.The starting point is a concrete investment in human capital: Villa Santa Maria has funded an additional Child Neuropsychiatry contract, making it possible, from the current academic year, for one additional medical trainee to join the University of Insubria's specialist training school beyond the places allocated by the Ministry.The activities of trainee specialist Cristina Ratti will be carried out between the Complex Structure of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry at ASST Sette Laghi, directed by Professor Cristiano Termine, and the facilities of Villa Santa Maria, in a context that fosters the integration of care, research, and innovation, ensuring hands-on training in close contact with clinical practice.There is more. The collaboration will also develop along a number of other operational lines: the enhancement of early diagnosis protocols for children at risk of autism spectrum disorders, the planning of multicentre studies, and the integration of new analytical methods. In particular, the aim is to identify early signs of atypical development between 18 and 24 months of age through the adoption of innovative observational tools, including electroencephalography in the follow-up of premature infants.On the clinical and rehabilitative front, the focus will be on the study of the sensorimotor aspects of autism, with particular attention to the phenomenon of Toe Walking. In terms of research, the objective is to validate and adopt a series of instruments that enable an increasingly comprehensive understanding of patients' needs."The contribution from Villa Santa Maria enables us, amongst other things, to consolidate the synergy already in place with the facilities directed by Professor Massimo Agosti at the Ospedale del Ponte in Varese, both on the clinical and research fronts, providing a further enrichment of the training pathway for our specialist trainees," explains Professor Cristiano Termine."This synergy strengthens the quality of care and the capacity to generate research with concrete benefits for patients," emphasises Professor Enzo Grossi, Scientific Director of Villa Santa Maria. "Investing in training and research means building tomorrow's clinical solutions today."The collaboration envisages new scientific and training activities, with the aim of consolidating an integrated model of child neuropsychiatry in the Insubrian area, capable of combining clinical excellence, innovation, and education, and of translating research into tangible benefits for patients and their families. (In the photograph, trainee specialist Cristina Ratti with Professor Cristiano Termine)