FLORENCE, 11 October 2024 – Greater health, sociality and autonomy, in the swimming pool and in everyday life. A new season of PITA - Progetto d'Intervento Terapeutico in Acqua (Therapeutic Intervention in Water Project), promoted by the Astrolabio association, has just begun, representing another step in the long-standing collaboration between the association and the Menarini Group, which has been supporting the initiative since 2011. 

Therefore, also this year, children with autism spectrum disorders and multi-handicaps involved in the newly launched edition of the courses will be able to attend guided and structured activities in an aquatic environment that will provide them with considerable benefits in cognitive, motor and social terms. From the enhancement of attention and motor skills to the reduction of hyperactivity, from the development of mnemonic skills to the improvement of mood and sociality. 

Last year, PITA recorded an increase of 42 children, with a total of 200 children aged two and over, who are looked after on the four days a week when classes are held. In addition to the summer activities – with a greater focus on sport – the work of the Astrolabe operators is carried out mainly from October to May, in line with the rhythms of the school calendar. For each child, individual lessons lasting about 40 minutes are foreseen with the assistance of a multidisciplinary team of specialised professionals, including neuropsychomotor development experts, educationalists, psychologists, coaches and swimming teachers. 

“We are proud to pursue these activities, which are also accessible to many families in financial difficulty, with a value that is not only therapeutic but has a high social content as well – claims Angela Manzani, president of Astrolabio – We would like to thank Menarini and the Aleotti family for the trust they have been placing in our unique and special project for over ten years”. 

 “Movement in the water, together with play, promotes socialisation and a range of developmentally useful skills – state Lucia and Alberto Giovanni Aleotti, shareholders and members of the Menarini Board of Directors – It makes us extremely happy to know that the children taken care of by Astrolabio are able to play and grow up safely and that their families can count on the expertise of highly qualified staff”.