Project description

Project Description

Autism Play Therapy is a complex project created for autistic children is an innovative and promising approach that we aim. Since individuals with ASD have in many cases difficulties with movements, stereotypical movements, tick that challenge their adaptation, the inclusion movement therapy and play will contribute decisively in the development of their characteristics. The main topic addressed by our project is: Promote education in and through sport with special focus on skills development - of sport coaches, general school sport teachers, teachers from special education and inclusive schools; specialists in the field of autism spectrum disorders newly appointed or unemployed. Our topic is also directly related to the topic - Social inclusion and equal opportunities in sport as a part of our local activities will be centered on this topic too. The project addresses the following European policies in the field of sport:
According to the World Health Organization 1 out of 4 four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives, and by 2020, depression will be the 2nd most important cause of disability. Already in the White Paper on Sport (2007) the European Commission declared its will to promote social inclusion through sport through several funding instruments and to take sport into account in its Action Plan on the European Disability Strategy. The White Paper on Sport underlines that: "The specific needs and situation of underrepresented groups therefore need to be addressed, and the special role that sport can play for young people, people with disabilities and people from less privileged backgrounds must be considered. Sport can also facilitate the integration into society of migrants and persons of foreign origin as well as support inter-cultural dialogue".

Project description

Project Aim

Through our project we aim to bring relevat knowledge, innovative elements and experience, innovation in the framework of Erasmus+ Sport programme and, in general, in the European sport community for inclusiveness and access to sport for all. We are truly convinced that that our project brings some relevant elements that play a central role in ensuring the correct development of sports skills and represent a key factor to determine the success in sports.

Therefore, developing a specific and quality module to train actual and future coaches in working with children with autism in sport related activities represents an innovative and necessary step to further increase efficacy and quality in coaching being coherent with the EU premises on coaching. Our project will develop quality educational materials that will fill the gaps that exist in teaching sport related activities for children with autism: APT curriculum and APT e-platform. .

Activities

Who we address
The objectives of our APT project address issues relevant to the participating organisations and target groups:

In Romania: The Association School of Coaches “Ioan Kunst Ghermănescu” is an educational institution that aims to provide professional training services and to develop initial and specialization training programs for human resources in the field of sport. As there are no trained specialists that can work with autistic children on sport activities, for IKG this project is an opportunity to create new classes and accreditations for the disability sport coaching in general and autism sport coaching in particular.

In Greece: The Department of Educational and Social Policy in the University of Macedonia is specialized in Education of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It is the only University of the country with assistant professor, researcher specifically for the education of people with ASD. UOM is responsible for educating and training future professionals what are going to work in the field of special education, assessment of special needs, education and training of children and teenagers and adults with ASD, support and counsel parents and other members of their family. UOM specialises on research and practice in developing methods and approaches of contemporary training approaches and methods for people with autism. It produces research findings, publications on the education and training of individuals with ASD and it is interested in collaborating on innovative ideas like movement therapy and play for autistic children.

In Belgium: The purpose of EAMHID is to facilitate international cooperation and exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of mental health in people with an intellectual disability. Special emphasis is placed on the coordination and promotion of scientific activities and improving standards of care and support throughout Europe. The APT project will be an opportunity for us to pass our knowledge to the Romanian team and also to promote their proposal and results at European level.

The direct target groups that we want to address are: sport coaches; teachers of physical education and sports.; Sport teachers from special education and inclusive schools.

~ The indirect target groups that we want to address are:
~ Specialists in the field of autism spectrum disorders newly appointed or unemployed;
~ Other specialists from the multidisciplinary team:
~ Speech therapists
~ Psychologist
~ Doctors specializing in childhood psychiatry or neuro-psychiatry;
~ Clinical psychologists / psychotherapists;
~ Family doctors;
~ Pediatric doctors;
~ Representatives of the departments of social assistance and protection of the rights of the child;
~ School counsellors;
~ School Teachers;
~ Parents;
~ Children with and without autism

OUR WORK

Project description