The Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership project “Supporting Children with Autism through Physical Education” (EmpowerAble) has reached an important milestone with the completion of its Policy Recommendation Report – “Strengthening Inclusive Physical Education through Innovation, Virtual Reality, and European Cooperation.”The report brings together the experience and evidence generated through cooperation between six partner organisations from Lithuania, Latvia, Türkiye and Macedonia, including Rēzeknes Pamatskola – Attīstības Centrs. The recommendations are based on pilot implementation, teacher questionnaires, parent feedback, student observations, stakeholder consultations, evaluation meetings, dissemination activities, comparative policy analysis and international scientific literature. From educational innovation to evidenceThe EmpowerAble project was developed in response to a common challenge faced by European education systems: how to ensure that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can meaningfully participate in high-quality physical education.The partnership therefore combined expertise from schools, special education centres, universities and autism organisations to develop solutions that could be applied in real educational environments. The project focused on strengthening teachers' competencies, developing evidence-based educational resources, integrating Virtual Reality into physical education, increasing student participation and motivation, and promoting cooperation between teachers, families, specialists and educational institutions. The main project outputs include a comprehensive Teacher's Guide, a professional development Curriculum, four interactive Virtual Reality applications, teacher training activities, pilot implementation, evaluation activities, dissemination and network-building initiatives, and policy recommendations. What did the project demonstrate?Evidence collected during the project confirms that successful inclusion requires much more than simply providing access to education.Students with ASD demonstrated greater willingness to participate when physical activities were structured, predictable and adapted to their individual abilities. Clear instructions, visual support, gradual progression and positive reinforcement contributed to improved engagement. Adapted physical activities also supported coordination, balance, motor planning, body awareness and movement confidence. Physical education also created meaningful opportunities for social interaction. Structured activities supported cooperation with peers and successful participation in group settings, while predictable and supportive environments contributed to reduced anxiety and improved emotional regulation for some students. An important area of innovation was the use of Virtual Reality. The project demonstrated that VR can increase motivation and encourage active involvement and repeated practice by providing controlled and predictable learning environments. However, the report emphasises that technology should be guided by educational objectives and individual learner needs rather than introduced simply because it is available. From findings to policy recommendationsThe Policy Recommendation Report goes beyond describing project results. Its central purpose is to translate the experience gained during EmpowerAble into recommendations that can contribute to longer-term improvements in educational systems.The report calls for strengthening the implementation of inclusive education policies, integrating ASD-related competencies into teacher education, providing continuous professional development, developing inclusive physical education guidelines, expanding multidisciplinary support services and strengthening cooperation between education, health and social sectors.It also recommends supporting evidence-based educational technologies, recognising families as equal partners, promoting community awareness and acceptance, ensuring the sustainability of project resources, and strengthening European cooperation and research networks. Sustainability beyond the projectOne of the most important messages of the report concerns sustainability.The resources developed within EmpowerAble should not remain isolated project outputs. The report recommends integrating the Teacher's Guide and VR-supported learning resources into teacher education programmes, school professional development plans and broader inclusive education strategies. Sustainable impact depends on institutional adoption rather than on the commitment of individual teachers alone. The project also highlights the value of continuing cooperation between schools, universities, autism organisations, families, specialists and policymakers. Such networks can support professional development, research, innovation and the continued exchange of good practices.Towards meaningful inclusionThe EmpowerAble experience demonstrates that physical education can be much more than the development of physical skills. It can provide an important environment for participation, communication, social interaction, confidence, independence and belonging for children with ASD. The project's final message is therefore clear: meaningful inclusion cannot be achieved through one method, one technology or one institution. It requires coordinated action, professional competence, appropriate support, family involvement, evidence-based innovation and long-term policy commitment.By transforming the knowledge gained through international cooperation into practical recommendations, EmpowerAble creates a foundation for continuing change beyond the lifetime of the project — from successful pilot practices towards sustainable and inclusive educational systems across Europe.Project: Supporting Children with Autism through Physical Education – EmpowerAbleProject No.: 2024-1-LT01-KA220-SCH-000246848Programme: Erasmus+ Cooperation PartnershipPolicy Recommendation Report publication: 31 July 2026
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