The first stone was laid on 14 October 2022 and today, less than 2 years later, the structure is almost completed, the works will close at the end of July and the inauguration date has already been set for next 4 September: let’s talk about the National Autism Center, first and only center of excellence for the most innovative treatments of pathologies linked to autism starting from developmental age.
The new hub of Sospiro Foundation is nearing completion, the works will close at the end of July and the official inauguration date has already been set for September 4th. The engines are then warmed up for this which will be the first and only center in Italybut also an excellence at a European level, for the treatment of pathologies linked to the autism spectrum with a new and innovative methodology, studied together with the experience of prestigious international institutes such as the Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI) and the J. Hopkins University (Baltimore).
We asked ourselves to learn more about the project by talking to those directly involved in the Sospiro Foundation, who strongly believed in and worked towards the creation of the centre.
Giovanni Scotti, President of the Sospiro Foundation, after having laid the foundation stones in October 2022, welcomes us today in what is now to all intents and purposes the structure nearing completion and tells us about the project precisely in the environments that we have only seen so far on paper. “THEThe centre, precisely for its purposes, provides environments of different nature and function, some dedicated to the reception of patients and their families, such as the guesthouse on the ground floor, created thanks to the support of the Girogio Conti association, and the dedicated spaces to the staff who will analyze and evaluate each individual case. On the upper floor we have the guest accommodation, 10 in total and divided into two areas, 5 for adults and 5 for children. Each room will be single, with the possibility of hosting a family member in the final stages of the stay”. The journey into the new environments then continues in the service rooms: “We then have the observation areas, where the operators will be able to evaluate the behavior of the guests, then there are the kitchens and a large and beautiful fully glazed gym, overlooking the countryside. Like all the rooms, characterized by large windows, to give a sense of openness and continuity towards the outside“.
A work of great value for community services, but also an important investment in economic and human resources terms. The General Director tells us more about it Fabio Bertusi: “For the Foundation it was a very ambitious project, also in economic terms, with an expense that rose from the 3 and a half million estimated at the start of the works to around 7 and a half million. We decided to throw our hearts over the obstacle and what supported us was the great solidarity of the area, which did not remain insensitive to the project, contributing largely to the expense. First of all, we have had the fundamental and most consistent support of the Cariplo Foundation and thanks to fundraising we have raised over 3 million and 300 thousand euros in just over two years, of which in 2023 alone over 450 thousand from private individuals and 100 thousand thanks to donations of 5% 1000. A great message of attention and culture of giving“.
A dream come true for the Sospiro Foundation and for Serafino CortiDirector of the Disability Department for 19 years, who explains in detail the innovation of the treatment approach that will be implemented in the National Autism Centre: “We start from the idea of wanting to give patients suffering from psychopathologies linked to autism and concomitant with other pathologies, the possibility of having a lifestyle that allows them to best express their dreams, affections and abilities. For this reason our The structure is not designed to become a residential centre, but to offer a limited period of treatment that will lead to reintegration – into a family or into other situations – even for those patients who do not now have the possibility also the training of the family members who will have to accompany the child or person during their return to society. This is why for us it is a dream and the best way to realize it was to awaken our awareness on these issues and get involved. this project”.
