The Therapeutic Engagement Index in Autism: A Research Framework for Understanding Intervention Responsiveness

This paper introduces the Therapeutic Engagement Index (TEI), a multidimensional framework for understanding why autistic children respond differently to comparable interventions by examining observable factors affecting therapeutic accessibility and engagement. TEI is proposed as a research construct—not a validated diagnostic tool or compliance measure—to identify modifiable conditions that enhance how children can access, tolerate, and benefit from therapeutic input within specific intervention contexts.