Verona, “AutJudo” conference to increase the integration of autistic children and young people: coaches, technicians, doctors and volunteers present at the event.
Spreading and promoting the integration of autistic children through the practice of a special type of judo, adapted to their needs. A particularly significant experience which will be discussed in 2nd international conference “AutJudo”scheduled for this Saturday 12 March, from 9 am, at the Gran Guardia.
At the center of the meeting the results of the large national and international project which, from 2020 until the end of this year, for a total period of three years, has made it possible to carry out, in Italian and foreign judo schools, special courses for children and young people with autism spectrum syndrome.
For the occasion, a hundred people, including coaches, judo technicians, doctors and volunteers from various associations in the national and European territory, will be in Verona to discuss the project and what has been achieved up to now. Italian partner is the non-profit organization “Judo in Armonia”, which is also the promoter of the Veronese convention, which enjoys the patronage of the Municipality of Verona and ULSS9.
Among the guests of the meeting on Saturday: Dr. Leonardo Zoccante, child neuropsychiatrist, who will open the conference with an introduction on autism spectrum disorders; Roberto Lachin, blind judoka with the project “Judo in the dark” accompanied by the blind dancer Elena Travaini, promoter of the project “Danza in the dark”. This will be followed by the intervention of dr. Marco Calamai, knight of merit of the Italian Republic, has been working with disabled children in sports since 1994 and many others.
On Sunday 13 March, at the CONI building in via Ascari 1, there will be demonstrations for technicians and coaches.
Judo in Armonia Onlus. She is the Italian partner and ambassador of the project, promoted by the European Union, together with Raon Llull University of Barcelona (Spain), the University of Genoa, Special Needs Judo Foundation (Holland) Judo Assist Ireland (Ireland) Judo Sweden Federation (Sweden) and Swiss Judo-Ju-Jitsu Federation (Switzerland).
Since 2012, the non-profit organization has been committed to guaranteeing Judo courses for about 20 children and young people with autism spectrum syndrome, adapting it to their particular needs thanks to the help and support of a dozen volunteers. Initial support came from abroad, because in Italy the topic was unknown and there were no judo gyms adapted to the needs of young athletes with autism spectrum disorder. The launch of a collaboration with foreign federations and associations was fundamental, which made it possible to increase Italian skills in this area.
The 2nd international conference “AutJudo” was presented this morning by the councilor for social services Maria Daniela Maellare. Present for Judo in Harmony the president Luigina Desopo and the volunteer Paolo Faggian.
“A particularly significant experience – underlines the commissioner – aimed at increasing the integration of autistic children through sport. With the meeting on Saturday, doctors, judo technicians and coaches, who have been involved in the project for about three years, will have the opportunity to meet in Verona to discuss the results achieved. A beautiful initiative, with a strong social impact, which brought together knowledge from various European countries, ahead of us on this technique, which also allows children with autism spectrum syndrome to practice judo”.
“It fills us with pride to take part in this project – explains the president Desopo -, wanted and financed by the European Union, in which Judo in Harmony has the opportunity to represent Italy, alongside foreign partners, in a program that really wants to explain how it is possible to adapt Judo to children with disabilities. We are also working on the creation of a manual that can be made available to anyone who wants to start this path, thus making our experiences and our studies available.”.
For info and reservations: [email protected] – 3481062080 (Sara). Website: www.judoinarmonia.it. Facebook: Judo in Armonia Onlus
