Tag Archive for 'autismo'

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.

Roma striker and World Cup winner with Argentina, Paulo Dybala, was today named a Laureus Ambassador. The 31-year-old Argentine footballer kicked off his new role with a visit to the Laureus Sport for Good program in Rome and took part in the 25th edition of the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid on Monday.

Dybala has won five Serie A titles with Juventus and the World Cup with Argentina in 2022. The Argentine star, who now plays for Roma, visited our project ‘Calcio Insieme’, supported by AS Roma, which uses football to help children with intellectual disabilities. Over 30 children and young people met the new Laureus Ambassador.

Grosprêtre, S., Ruffino, C., Derguy, C., & Gueugneau, N. (2024). Sport and Autism: What Do We Know so Far? A Review. Sports Medicine-Open, 10(1), 107.

Autism is often associated with anxiety, a condition that can stem from feelings of social isolation. This situation can, in turn, increase the risk of depression in some cases. However, sports and physical activity provide significant support in addressing these challenges, as their positive effects in reducing symptoms of depression are well-documented.

To achieve tangible benefits from physical activity, it is important to follow a program for an adequate period. Improvements usually become noticeable after 16 weeks of consistent exercise, while shorter programs, such as those lasting 8 weeks, tend to have a limited impact.

Psychological and Physical Benefits of Sports

Sports not only enhance physical well-being but also positively affect several psychological aspects. For instance, short-term training programs can boost self-esteem. Similarly, self-efficacy—the confidence in one’s own abilities—can improve through activities that allow individuals to regulate the intensity of their exercises autonomously.

Parents of autistic children often report improvements in their children’s mood, quality of life, and autism-related behaviors after participating in sports programs. Physically, autistic individuals show significant progress in strength and overall fitness, with noticeable improvements in cardiovascular endurance and upper and lower limb strength. Balance training can also help mitigate motor challenges related to stability, enhancing the ability to control body movements.

Cognitive Improvements and Physical Adaptations

Even simple and less structured exercises can offer cognitive benefits. For example, circuit exercise programs have demonstrated improvements in reaction times and cognitive flexibility, areas that can be particularly challenging for autistic individuals. Physically, benefits such as a reduction in fat mass have been observed through combined aerobic-neuromuscular or coordination-strength training programs.

Sports like basketball, football, and handball are particularly effective at developing perceptual-motor skills due to the level of uncertainty and adaptability required during gameplay. These “open-skill” sports promote quick responses and flexibility in movement, improving motor and cognitive skills.

Socialization and Interaction Through Physical Activity

Sports can also have a positive impact on socialization, an area often critical for autistic individuals. Participating in sports provides opportunities for interaction with other participants and instructors, increasing social stimulation. This can lead to improvements in communication and social functioning. Moreover, sports are experienced as enjoyable activities that offer a sense of accomplishment and enhance self-confidence, especially in group settings.

From a physiological perspective, physical exercise can stimulate the production of oxytocin, a hormone associated with social cognition and relational behaviors. However, the intensity of the activity should be carefully considered: too light an exercise may not yield significant benefits, while overly intense activity can cause discomfort and discourage participation.

Conclusion

According to research, physical activity can be an effective and accessible tool for managing autism. It offers social, psychological, and physical advantages and, with the right approach, can become a key element in improving the quality of life for autistic individuals and their families.