Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a heterogeneous set of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by persistent deficits in communication and social interaction in multiple contexts and patterns of restricted, repetitive behaviours, interests, or activities.

Recent research suggests that motor disorders play an important role in autism and numerous studies have shown that sports can have a positive impact on people with ASD. Sports activities can be a functional tool for improving motor, cognitive, social, and communication skills. In particular, rock climbing seems to be an increasingly explored and promising practice.

In this context, the ARRAMPI_CARE project aims to investigate the impact that an innovative and structured intervention, based on climbing activities and methodologically grounded on instances of Embodied Cognition, can have towards the development of cognitive and social skills of subjects with ASD.

The project, conducted in Italy, involved individuals with ASD in climbing activities carried out within gyms and conducted by experienced operators supported by psychologists and researchers.

This paper will describe the project and the results obtained from a sample of subjects with ASD.

Keywords: Autism, Embodied Cognition, Climbing, Education.