«Cambiamo punto di vista»: A project for the inclusion of pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder as a Caring System model
Patrizia Freddi, Susanna Magnanini, Elisa Bonucchi, Giada Barbi, Erika Rivasi, Virginia Giuberti
This paper describes and evaluates the impact and effectiveness of the project «Cambiamo punto di vista»: a project for the inclusion of pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder arranged by Istituto Comprensivo in Luzzara, Reggio Emilia, Italy. The project is deeply rooted in the methodological-operative model, proposed by the Centro Autismo of ASL Reggio Emilia and defined as a «Caring System» («Sistema Curante», Dalla Vecchia et al., 2003). It is an approach to Autism Spectrum Disorder that believes in «spiral-interaction» and constructive, expert collaboration among the different forces which interact around each child with autism and their family. The project involves initial training sessions on autism and challenging behaviour management for all teachers, and a learning-by-doing session for special needs teachers who work alongside the therapist during experimental labs. The labs were carried out with pupils individually or in small groups with their classmates or with the whole class. Moreover, at the beginning and at the end of the project, the school organised two awareness evenings about Autism for all stakeholders, from a «Caring System» point of view.
Keywords
Inclusion, Caring System, training, experimental labs, awareness evenings.