Effectiveness of a universal preschool-based program for emotional education in 3- to 5-year-old children with autism spectrum conditions.

This article evaluates the effectiveness of "1,2,3,emoció!", a universal preschool emotional education program for children aged 3–5 years, specifically focusing on those with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) in Barcelona during the 2018–2019 school year. Using a cluster randomized community trial with 49 children diagnosed with ASC, the study found that participants in the program showed a statistically significant greater improvement in emotional competence—measured by the Emotional Competence Assessment Questionnaire (ECAQ)—compared to a comparison group. The findings suggest that universal emotional education programs like "1,2,3,emoció!" can positively impact children with ASC in inclusive school settings and may serve as a valuable complement to ASC-specific interventions. Limitations include reliance on teacher-reported outcomes and a small sample size, but the study's design and validated assessment tool support the reliability of the results.