The conference is part of the World Autism Awareness Day and aims to foster, from different perspectives, a reflection on networking in support of pupils, families and schools, but also to highlight the mutual influence that takes place in the encounter and exchange between individuals. A meeting marked by unique personal characteristics and dynamic school and living environments.

The speakers' presentations will focus on themes, approaches and working perspectives aimed at facilitating collaboration between families and education professionals, mutual recognition of experiences, roles and competences and the planning inherent in an effective educational partnership.

The event is organised by the Competence Centre for School, Social and Educational Needs of the Department of Education and Learning / University of Teacher Education (DFA/ASP), in collaboration with Fondazione ARES, autismo svizzera, Accademia Dimitri, Città di Locarno and Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care.

The conference will be preceded by an educational and cultural afternoon in which the theatrical performance Feynman, the man who made infinity disappear, based on the life of Nobel Prize winner for Physics Richard Feynman, will be staged.

Programme

08.45 - Official opening and introduction of the morning
Management of the Department of Education and Learning / University of Teacher Education 

09.00 - Networking: from family to school
Paola Venuti, Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Università degli Studi di Trento

09.45 - Theatre at school: inclusion on stage
Doriano Buffi, Director of the Losone School Institute
Demis Quadri, Professor of Research and Didactics in Physical Theatre, Accademia Dimitri

10.15 - Public presentation of the book "Sono la mamma di un bambino speciale"
Eleonora Dall'Antonia, author and specialised teacher
Angela Pasqualotto, co-curator of the publication and co-responsible for the Competence Centre for School, Social and Educational Needs

10.45 - Break

11.05 - The farmer and the agronomist: parents and storytelling
Riziero Zucchi, Head of Parent Pedagogy Methodology, Turin

11.50 - Round table "Narration: between expression, sharing and formative growth"
Moderator: Michele Mainardi, Professor of Special and Inclusive Pedagogy and President of the Cantonal Consultative Commission for Autism 
Speakers: Patrizia Berger of Autism Switzerland; Eleonora Dall'Antonia; Demis Quadri; Paola Venuti; Riziero Zucchi.

Followed by - Aperitif offered by the City of Locarno and performance by the coro Cantiamo Insieme (autismo svizzera)

Participation

Participation is free and open to all.
For organisational reasons, registration via the online registration form is welcome by 10 April 2024.

Cover image by Veronica Dall'Antonia, taken from the book "Sono la mamma di un bambino speciale".