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Accept. Understand. Then play! The impact of sport and physical activity in autism spectrum disorder 
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  • Vincenzo Sorgente,
  • Erez James Cohen,
  • Riccardo Bravi,
  • Diego Minciacchi
Vincenzo Sorgente
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Erez James Cohen
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
Riccardo Bravi
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
Diego Minciacchi
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy

Abstract

Participating in sports and physical activity has physical, psychological, cognitive and social benefits for everyone, including young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The practice environment and instructorship are significant inclusion factors for young people with ASD. A safe, attractive and easy-to-access environment has a positive impact on the practice of physical activity for all disabilities, ASD included. Nonetheless, the teachers and coaches are not always informed of the condition of the young people for which they are responsible and they may not have been trained to adapt their coaching to the reality of these young people. They may not have the knowledge, openness or resources to properly integrate a person with ASD in their group. Hence, it is relevant to give them tools so they can intervene more adequately with people living with ASD.