Young Mediators for inclusion” (YMI). Most of the children and young people with autism still live on the margins of society. Almost all institutions that work in this area, develops specific activities directed only to children with autism, in segregated groups, accompanied by therapists. This reproduces paths of exclusion, stigmatization, discrimination and early institutionalization. In view of this diagnosis, the Portuguese association Inovar Autismo (Innovate Autism), designed the Project “Young Mediators for inclusion” (YMI). This project promote the participation of children/young people with autism in activities developed by community structures, on equal terms withtheir pairs, through the support of “young mediators for inclusion”. This will allow a progressive transformation of community structures, which will certainly prolong the project's impact in a sustainable way once the project is over. The YMI aims to: (i) design and test in three European countries an innovative / pilot methodology to include children / youth with autism in regular community structures (sports clubs, cultural and recreational associations, activities promoted by municipalities, etc. ), on an equal basis with other children through technical follow-up (mediators for inclusion) and through evaluation and necessary adaptations; ii) training “young mediators for inclusion” (facilitating agent that promotes the inclusion in articulation with the family and contexts); iii) training technicians and other staff of all community partners, in order to ensure the full participation of children/with autism; iv) design a European guide for the inclusion of children/youth with autism. To implement this innovative project has been established a consortium which includes 4 european associations (Inovar Autismo, Autismo Burgos, Autism Europe and Diversamente Onlus), a portuguese university (ISCTE Business School) and a partner entity specializing in new technologies (Interactive media knowledge transfer intermediate).
The YMI project intended to promote the participation of autistic people in activities developed by the community structures, on equal terms with their peers, through the support of mediators that allowed not only their full participation, but also a progressive transformation of the community structures. The main objectives were: (i) design and test of an innovative / pilot methodology (in three European countries) to include autistic people in regular community structures on an equal basis with other peers; ii) train “young mediators for inclusion”; iii) train technicians and other staff of community structures, in order to ensure the full participation of autistic people; iv) design of a European Guide for the inclusion of people on the autism spectrum. In addition to the main objectives, the project also intended to increase the awareness regarding the promotion of human rights and inclusion of autistic people; disseminate innovative inclusion practices for children and young people, as opposed to traditional approaches in controlled and segregated environments; demystify stereotypes and prejudices regarding the functioning and social participation of autistic people.
Autism is a neurodivergency that goes through life and evolves in different ways, from person to person. However, difficulties with socialization, repetitive behaviours, restricted interests and a hyper or hypo sensitivity to sensory stimuli are common in autistic people. Given these featured characteristics, the social inclusion of autistic people is not always easy. When parents intend to include their children/youngsters in the community, such as in sports, music or arts, most of the contexts are not prepared, which makes it really difficult or sometimes even impossible to include them. This difficulty shared by many entities limits the participation of autistic people in equal opportunities with their peers. In Europe, most institutions develop specific activities for disabled people in segregated contexts. Inovar Autismo stands out from other institutions by prioritizing inclusion as the only possible way of intervention. Full inclusion remains an urgent need and that is why the YMI project intended to break stereotypes through the implementation of an innovative methodology. The figure of the mediator had a crucial role ensuring the inclusion of autistic persons and the empowerment of the entities in this field.