School in Sintra fosters activities aimed at inclusion and educational growth for adolescents with unique abilities.
The Miguel Torga School Group in Sintra, Portugal, has embarked on an ambitious initiative to make the Castle of Bode dam more inclusive for students with autism. This move comes as a response to the significant challenge of lack of activities for societal integration faced by people with autism in Portugal.
The initiative aims to promote the integration, autonomy, social skill development, and cognitive skill development of students with autism. However, as of my last update (December 2023), specific, up-to-date documentation about every activity developed by the Miguel Torga School Group may not be publicly available in all details.
Nonetheless, we can draw insights from typical approaches taken by Portuguese school groups for the integration and autonomy of students with autism. These may include specialized educational resource centers, in-class integration strategies, extracurricular activities, autonomy development, technology and communication supports, and family and community involvement.
Specialized Educational Resource Centers (CRI) could provide customized learning plans, inclusion support, and therapy services for students with autism. In-class integration strategies might involve peer support, sensory rooms or zones, and adapted teaching materials. Extracurricular activities could include workshops and social clubs focused on social skills, sports, or arts, aiming to build confidence and social interaction.
Autonomy development could involve daily living skills training, technology, and communication supports. Life skills classes could teach practical skills for independence, such as personal hygiene, organization, and time management. Community-based learning could involve trips to local businesses or services to practice real-life skills.
Family and community involvement could include parent workshops and collaborations with local organizations to provide additional resources and support.
To find specific activities at the Miguel Torga School Group, visitors can check the school’s website for sections on "Special Education Needs," "Inclusion," or "CRI (Centros de Recursos Educativos)." They can also contact the school directly to seek detailed information. Local news or social media may also provide updates about the school's ongoing projects related to inclusion and autism.
The initiative does not specify the age group of the students it aims to help or provide any information about funding or partnerships. The activities include cooking workshops, theater, horticulture, and self-defense. It is not specified if these activities are exclusive to the students of the Miguel Torga School Group.
Advocates for several years, Pedro Franco and his family have been pushing for the Castle of Bode dam to become accessible to all. The activities developed by the Miguel Torga School Group are designed to contribute to a fairer and more equal society. Approximately 60,000 people in Portugal have autism, making this initiative a significant step towards inclusion and equal opportunities for all.
The education-and-self-development initiatives taken by the Miguel Torga School Group, as demonstrated in their programs at the Castle of Bode dam, aim to foster the integration, autonomy, social skill development, and cognitive skill development of students with autism. These programs can encompass activities such as specialized educational resource centers, in-class integration strategies, extracurricular activities, autonomy development, technology and communication supports, and family and community involvement. Though specific, up-to-date documentation about every activity developed by the school may not always be readily available, these general approaches provide valuable insights into their overall goal of promoting inclusion for individuals with autism in Portugal.
