University of Coimbra helps develop physical activity guide for people with autism
The handbook provides recommendations for physical education professionals on assessing, planning, and supervising physical activities for people with autism spectrum disorder.
O Guia de Atividade Física para Pessoas com Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo foi lançado em Brasília, no início de julho.
© DR
The Physical Activity Guide for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) was created to support adapted exercise practices in Brazil. Developed in collaboration with the University of Coimbra (UC), the handbook provides guidance for physical education professionals on assessing, planning, and supervising physical activities for individuals with ASD.
This guide was developed in collaboration with José Pedro Ferreira, a lecturer at the Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education (FCDEFUC) of the University of Coimbra and a researcher at the UC Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance (CIPER). Ferreira explains: “This guide is based on Chrystiane Toscano’s PhD research. Chrystiane, who is currently a lecturer at the Federal University of Alagoas, produced and published a study on an intervention protocol for physical exercise for the Brazilian population with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” as part of her PhD thesis, supervised by Ferreira.
As the UC lecturer explains, “the publication provides guidance that can be applied in a variety of intervention contexts and across different levels of the condition. It covers a range of basic concepts and includes specific tools to support intervention.”
The guide was developed by a working group led by the Federal University of Alagoas, with contributions from lecturers at the University of Coimbra, the State University of Bahia, the Federal University of Santa Catarina, and the University of Pernambuco. The project was carried out in collaboration with Brazil’s National Secretariat for Parasport. The guide is available here.
The Physical Activity Guide for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder was launched in Brasília in early July, at an event attended by the Minister of Sport, André Fufuca, and the National Secretary for Parasport, Fabio Araujo.
In 2023, José Pedro Ferreira had already contributed to the Adapted Physical Activity for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder, together with FCDEFUC lecturer Maria João Campos, a handbook part of the series Adapted Physical Activity Handbook, published by Portugal’s Directorate-General for Health (DGS) through the National Programme for the Promotion of Physical Activity.