Climbing as a tool for psychic, physical and social well -being for autistic children

« No Rain, no Rainbow». Without rain there is no rainbow. And in fact it is with a light rain that the day has begun. But the group did not let himself be discouraged and in two hours the children ran in the lawn at the foot of the Falesia di Montestrutto, on the border between Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta. Sunday 27 April, the staff of theSocial Promotion Association of VIPERIENCE VIACOLENTO (VCVEXP)which deals with outdoor activities and which organized this moment, has chosen the destination to find the best compromise between simple but stimulating climbing paths and an open space, provided, however, of a covered bar in which to take refuge in case of bad weather. AND To offer an opportunity for sports activities in the green to small autistic patients coming from the project ET – Social Skill Training Lab of the Neurosviluppo Clinic of the complex structure of university childhood neuropsychiatry of the Regina Margherita hospital in Turin.

This day on rock came at the end of a one year route: Six children of the provinces of Turin and Cuneo between the 8 and 12 years who had received the diagnosis of autism at the hospital clinic They attended a laboratory dedicated to implementing and supporting communication and social skills. « For autistic people, establishing relationships or feeling obliged to speak or contact others can be complex, » he explains Chiara Davico, childhood neuropsychiatrist of the structure. « This can generate in their feelings of solitude, inadequacy and frustration to develop, in some cases, problems of anxiety and depression ».

Supported and built by the philanthropic body of the third sector « I’m with Queen Margherita»Which supports the hospital in many activities, The Empower Together project It was designed to provide emotional support to parents and, together, give concrete tools to children and young people. « In the first meetings, the children were on the sidelines and struggled to relate to others, » he says Pia Avogadro, a psychologist who collaborated on the project.
« On Sunday’s day he allowed our boys to have a new and challenging experience with the members of VIPERIENCE VIAwhich have been able to listen and tuning. The hospital offers care and attention and acts as a container, but nature also arrives where the hospital cannot. On Sunday all four participants flourished. We would never have thought, for example, that Luca, a child who has always been a little isolated to take the initiative and went up on the wall first».

During the hours spent in the Falesia, the children exchanged caresses, they passed harars and ropes, played with the Hula Hoop, and skipped and traveled together the slackline – a rope that when it is tense in suspension can be traveled a few centimeters from the ground – linked to two birch. « We met a fun, relaxed and very welcoming group, » he comments Lorenzo Viberti, co-founder and president of Vialvento Experience. «Luca, Chiara, Giovanni and Thomas, the protagonists of the activities, also shown skills in sport, from climbing to martial arts, which had previously not proved to be. They made technical relief movements and have been very courageous, even in the darkest moments, jumping on us and tickling us ».

Two climbing itineraries chosen from the streets available by Gabriele Silvestri, the Alpine Guide responsible for the technical management of the activity on the wall for the associationone of third and one of fourth degree, the simplest in the general classification. Safety in Outdoor environments and enhancement of the characteristics of each person are the principles that the VCVEXP staff (which, in addition to the alpine guides, includes between the various professional figures of the psycho-educational field and skipper) transmits with the exits that organizes: The no-profit is responsible for promoting, in a psycho-educational context, trekking, climbing and sailing as tools of psychic, physical and social well-being through contact with trees, rock and sea. « We are happy to have contributed to the last piece of the hospital route, » adds Viberti. « With this experience, the children were able to experience what it means to rely on someone else and, in turn, they tasted the responsibility to » manage « a friend or a friend: we made them collaborate with us in the » safe « phase, when the rope is slipped a little at a time to bring down those who are on the wall ».

The project was born from the desire of the members of the Ceresa family, founding members of «I’m with Queen Margherita»To thank the staff of the child neuropsychiatry By providing support to families and young people who live situations similar to what their story was, and started with an evening-event, on May 24, 2024, designed to raise funds to finance two years of project. « Having contributed to the realization of the project and fills our hearts of joy and pride, » he says Walter Ceresa, president of Io I’m with Queen Margherita Ets.

«A path designed at 360 degrees by the NPI staff involving not only the little patients but also their families. We like to think about our contribution as a hug full of strength and hope that we can give to all the family nuclei involved ». The second year of the project will start in autumn. « We are evaluating whether to involve the same group of children or open the possibility to others, » he comments Giulia Vitale Psychologist who collaborates with the neuropsychiatry department. « It would be nice to offer this opportunity for younger people, but on the other hand the results we have achieved have continuity to be maintained. » And the laboratory continues.