Climbing as an Inclusive Intervention in Autism
Vittoria Vendrametto, Chiara Davico, Lorenzo Bertoldi, Ludovico Zamara, Nicola Galizia, Beatrice Fossat, Daniele Marcotulli
The ARRAMPI_CARE project, promoted by S.A.S.P. (Società Arrampicata Sportiva Palavela) climbing club (Turin, Italy) and sponsored by the UBI (Italian Buddhist Union) and the Mazzola Foundation, aims to make climbing accessible by integrating playful and psychoeducational elements. We conducted a feasibility study involving 39 individuals with ASD, following a programme of weekly individualized climbing lessons. Assessments included direct evaluations of motor and cognitive skills and indirect evaluations through parental interviews exploring satisfaction, inclusivity, and perceived developmental progress. The study included a sample of 39 people with ASD. Adherence to the climbing programme was excellent and parents reported high satisfaction, highlighting accessibility and the motivational role of individualized instructor support. Improvements were perceived particularly in balance and strength, while cognitive and social progress was more variable. Statistical analyses confirmed significant gains in both cognitive (p = 0.037) and motor performance (p = 0.022), with children with ADHD starting from lower baselines but demonstrating meaningful catch-up gains over time. Adaptive climbing appears feasible and well-accepted as a rehabilitative strategy for children with ASD, fostering motor and cognitive development in an inclusive setting.
Keywords
Autism, Sport, Climbing, Inclusion, Accessibility.
