Familias
Better to say integration than inclusion, better to play with connection and without rigid structure if we want genuine learning for the child, and better to offer a facilitator the child’s interests rather than just a medical diagnosis. These were some of the lessons shared at the conference on connection, social participation, and sport held this Saturday in the auditorium of the Conservatory of Music of Western Asturias.
The event —organized by the Valdés City Council and replicated in only five cities across Spain— invited social reflection on human differences, steering away from biases and preconceptions.
Occupational therapist Alejandra Rivas, based in Oviedo, spoke about the importance of play as a natural process that provides children with tools “to understand” both the outer and inner world. However, she pointed out, “we still face dinosaur-like obstacles (in the sports field) because the best solutions are not being chosen.” She focused on the sensory systems —which, she reminded, are eight, not five— and on how each one integrates sensory input.
Playful neurons
“Neurons are playful and transmit information differently in each person,” she explained. That’s why some people feel warm while most feel cold, or perceive burning sensations more quickly than others. What matters for quality of life, she said, is that each person’s response “is adapted and appropriate to the situation.”
Rivas also noted that adults often try to correct children’s sensory experiences. “The difference is that adults know themselves —they know which of two pools with different water temperatures feels better to them— but children haven’t developed that awareness yet.”
She added two thought-provoking points: “The word inclusion is overused and has lost meaning; I prefer to talk about integration,” and “sometimes it’s hard to transfer theoretical knowledge into sensory experience.”
This gap makes it harder for adults to learn how to support children, since “sensory processing is unique to every individual.” She warned that many children today may be overstructured with too many scheduled activities —for example, extracurriculars after school— and insisted that for play to be truly effective, two conditions must exist: space for it to happen and fewer impositions.
Moreover, play shouldn’t be about pleasing others: “It must be with others, not for them.” Her tips for parents seeking optimal development: follow the child’s interests without fear of losing control, allow time for genuine interaction without distractions, and look beyond what’s visible.
The therapy room in the sea
Another guest speaker, Simone Tiemann, an occupational therapist based in Somo (Cantabria), shared her experience leading a non-profit association that uses ocean sports to foster sensory integration, enhance quality of life, and promote social relationships and broader life roles.
The German-born therapist, who has lived in Spain for 18 years, emphasized the importance of “enjoyment in sport,” which she values more than achievement. She recounted how the initiative began with a pilot experience involving three children: “I was amazed to see the face of one boy with autism when he came out of the sea,” she said. She realized he wasn’t just having fun —he was also transferring skills she used to work on in the therapy room into the ocean.
Tiemann explained how her organization operates and shared key messages: “We must not judge; we must accept all differences,” and “we must work from the heart —that’s what can unite us all.”
When signing a child up for recreational or sports activities, she said, it’s crucial to engage with families and learn about the child’s personal interests and preferences —“I’m not talking about the diagnosis, but about what they enjoy,” she clarified.
She also encouraged clubs and associations to invest in training for facilitators: “They first need to know themselves, to recognize the ‘backpack’ they carry.” In her team’s practice, for instance, “if a facilitator is calm, they’re better suited to a child with hyperactivity —and vice versa.”