As the Erasmus+ project “Supporting Children with Autism through Physical Education” (EmpowerAble) approaches its conclusion, one of its key project outcomes — the Policy Recommendation Report — has been completed and is now available in English, Turkish, Lithuanian, and Macedonian.

The publication brings together the knowledge, evidence, and experience gained throughout the project and translates them into practical recommendations for strengthening inclusive physical education for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The report is intended for policymakers, educational authorities, teacher education institutions, school leaders, teachers, specialists, researchers, and organisations working to improve educational opportunities for children with ASD.

From International Cooperation to Evidence-Based Recommendations

Over the course of the project, partners from Lithuania, Latvia, Türkiye, and North Macedonia worked together to explore how physical education can become more accessible, meaningful, and inclusive for children with ASD.

The partnership brought together six organisations representing complementary expertise in education, special education, autism, teacher training, research, and practical work with children with ASD. This multidisciplinary cooperation enabled the project to connect scientific knowledge with everyday educational practice and to develop resources that could be tested in authentic learning environments.

The Policy Recommendation Report is therefore not based on theoretical considerations alone. It synthesises evidence from pilot implementation, teacher questionnaires, parent feedback, student observations, stakeholder consultations, evaluation meetings, dissemination activities, comparative policy analysis, and international scientific literature.

What Did EmpowerAble Achieve?

During the project, the partnership developed a comprehensive set of resources and activities to support inclusive physical education.

Among the main project outcomes are a Teacher’s Guide, a professional development curriculum, four interactive Virtual Reality (VR) applications, teacher training materials, pilot implementation and evaluation reports, digital educational resources, good practice examples, and the Policy Recommendation Report.

The project also provided opportunities for teachers and specialists from different countries to learn together, test new approaches, exchange professional experience, and evaluate how innovative educational solutions can be adapted to different national and school contexts.

What Did the Project Evidence Show?

The project findings highlight the important role of appropriately adapted physical education in supporting the development and meaningful participation of children with ASD.

During pilot implementation, teachers and professionals observed increased willingness to participate when activities were structured, predictable, and adapted to individual abilities. Clear instructions, visual support, gradual progression, and positive reinforcement contributed to greater engagement.

Adapted physical activities also supported the development of coordination, balance, motor planning, body awareness, and movement confidence. Physical education created opportunities for social interaction and cooperation with peers, while predictable and supportive environments helped some students reduce anxiety and strengthen emotional regulation and self-confidence.

The Role of Virtual Reality

The integration of Virtual Reality was one of the innovative elements of EmpowerAble.

Project experience demonstrated that VR can provide structured, engaging, and predictable learning environments in which students can practise activities, maintain attention, repeat movements, and participate according to their individual pace and abilities.

At the same time, one of the most important conclusions of the project is clear: technology alone does not create inclusive education.

Innovative technologies are most effective when they are integrated into evidence-based pedagogy, supported by competent teachers, and used according to individual educational needs. Technology should therefore complement rather than replace high-quality teaching and professional judgement.

From Project Results to Future Policy

The Policy Recommendation Report identifies several priorities for the future development of inclusive physical education.

The recommendations emphasise the need to strengthen teacher professional development, promote the appropriate integration of innovative technologies such as VR, improve cooperation between schools, families, healthcare professionals and community organisations, increase the accessibility and inclusiveness of physical education environments, strengthen the dissemination and sustainability of evidence-based practices, and recognise physical activity as an essential component of educational planning for students with ASD.

The report also highlights an important lesson emerging across the participating countries: policy commitment alone does not automatically guarantee meaningful inclusion. Successful implementation also requires sufficient resources, professional capacity, specialist support, collaboration, monitoring, and continuous improvement of educational practice.
  Recommendations Now Available in Four Languages
To make the project results accessible to a wider audience and facilitate their use in different educational contexts, the EmpowerAble Policy Recommendation Report is now available in four languages:

🇬🇧 English
🇹🇷 Turkish
🇱🇹 Lithuanian
🇲🇰 Macedonian

The multilingual versions support the dissemination of the project’s findings beyond the immediate partnership and create opportunities for teachers, educational institutions, specialists, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to use and further develop the approaches created through EmpowerAble.

Looking Beyond the Project

Although EmpowerAble is approaching its formal conclusion, the value of its work extends beyond the project period.

Long-term impact depends on integrating successful approaches into everyday educational practice, school development processes, teacher professional development, professional networks, and future educational policies. The report emphasises that sustainability is strengthened when innovative practices become part of institutional culture rather than remaining dependent on individual teachers or temporary project activities.

The experience of EmpowerAble demonstrates that meaningful inclusion is achievable when educational systems combine knowledge, professional competence, collaboration, individualised support, and responsible innovation.

Ultimately, inclusive physical education is about much more than access to physical activity. It is about creating opportunities for children with ASD to participate, develop their abilities, experience success, interact with others, and feel that they belong.

🇪🇺 The project is co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme.

Project: Supporting Children with Autism through Physical Education – EmpowerAble
Project No.: 2024-1-LT01-KA220-SCH-000246848