Ten years after the launch of the Integrated Football Academy, aimed at children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, we would like to share the guiding principles that have informed our work from the very beginning.
Not just doing good, but doing it well
From the outset, our goal as a sports association was not only to offer football as an activity, but also to systematically monitor and document the results achieved. We chose to move beyond the simplistic notion that sport, in itself, is inherently beneficial. Instead, we sought to clearly illustrate which specific motor, athletic, and psychosocial areas are positively impacted through structured practice.
A real football school
We focused on children with autism between the ages of 6 and 12, as early childhood is a critical period for introducing sports. This is when fundamental motor patterns are established and initial experiences of social interaction begin. We also aimed to counteract the high risk of sedentary behavior commonly seen in this population.
Football as a tool for inclusion and social integration
Through regular participation in the Academy’s activities, children were offered a meaningful group experience, sustained throughout the entire sports season, alongside their peers, coaches, and sports psychologists. This experience facilitated, to varying degrees, the acquisition of social norms such as greetings at the beginning and end of training sessions, respect for peers and adults, and the ability to follow structured sessions led by trained professionals.
A multidisciplinary team
From the beginning, we built a team composed of sports professionals with diverse skill sets: football coaches, graduates in Sports Science, and sports psychologists, supported in the field by a speech therapist and a medical doctor. All staff members participated in a 32-hour training course specifically designed and delivered by our team.
Everyone can learn
By combining clinical diagnoses, family insights, and direct observation on the field, we assessed each child’s level of functioning. This allowed us to provide personalized instruction, identifying who needed one-on-one support and who was ready to work in small groups of three children per coach.
Integration with typically developing peers
From the very first year, we organized joint training sessions with children from AS Roma’s football school. Starting in the second year, we also facilitated on-field meetings with the participants’ classmates, further enhancing opportunities for social integration and peer interaction.
Fostering a sense of belonging among families and youth
Another key objective has been to nurture a strong sense of community—not only among the children, but also among their families and the project staff. Over these ten years, we have successfully built a supportive and engaged community that plays an active role in the success of Calcio Insieme.