The Old Farm where autistic children and young people are cared for

Andrea and Doria, two autistic children, have made great progress by attending the Old Farm in Bonavicina, in the province of Verona. Here, they followed a program of horticultural therapy and pet therapy, combined with local crops and animal care. In particular, horses, donkeys, rabbits, and piglets, which help stimulate verbal communication and boost the self-esteem of autistic children.

In reality the Old One Farm It was born as a farmhouse run by people who love country life, with catering services included, and then evolved on the model of a farm Social and therapeutic. In some of the facility's workshops, honey, jams, preserves, and other agricultural products are prepared, then sold locally. From here, those who demonstrate skills, aptitude, and interests are placed in programs that include internships and scholarships, leading to placements in agricultural work at other local farms.

The work in farm, through contact with the animals and various crops, also becomes a rehabilitation and therapeutic tool, in collaboration with local social and health services, for young autistic people. The children prepare the animals, care for them, distribute hay, change the water, clean the stables, and at the same time learn to make jams and preserves. All activities, done in groups, are useful not only for their treatment but also for building a future in the fields.