All PT4ASD project participants gathered in Düzce, Turkey, on 16 and 17 February for the first transnational meeting. Partners from Ireland, Spain, Denmark, Greece, Serbia and Turkey introduced the schools and organisations they’re coming from and promoted the good practices.

Visit to schools in Turkey for people with special needs only

The participants discussed project activities, mobility, risks that may occur in the project and precautions to be taken. Since Turkey has a well-organised support system for the education of children with special needs, the hosts took all the participants to Hacı Hidayet Türkseven Special Education Practice School and Yeşil Düzce Special Education Practice School. 

Both schools are for individuals with special needs only, where they get all the education and care they need. Apart from physical therapy, they attend a lot of workshops that prepare them for life after finishing school. With assistance from their teachers and educators, the students plant fruits and vegetables, which are later thermally processed and served to them in the canteen, and take care of animals, which relax them when they are upset. 

Developing the best practices that will improve the well-being of young people with ASD

The goal of the project “Physical therapy as a tool for developing social-emotional, non-verbal communication and relationships skills of young people with ASD” (PT4ASD) is to empower and improve the capacities of institutions in order to help these young people. The project includes building an online platform to benefit all the people of interest and improve the competencies and professional development of educators who work with students with ASD.

International School representatives enjoyed meeting their partners and exchanging experiences with them. We are looking forward to developing the best practices that will improve the well-being of young people with ASD.