Description
Children with developmental disorders need an integrated approach. The project aims to improve the independent life skills of 120 children with developmental disorders in Maramures County, Romania, by developing a modern and efficient package of social services that includes screening, personalized intervention, monitoring and evaluation. Professionals who interact with children with developmental disorders (100 teachers, social workers, psychologists and volunteers) will be trained to work with these children with developmental disorders, while parents / legal tutors of these children will be enabled to manage their child’s disorder. The intervention will be documented to further serve as a model for the delivery of integrated social services in Romania. The project will tackle discrimination of disabled children.
Summary of project results
Neurodevelopmental disorders have an early onset (around the age of 2) and affect the child’s development in areas of behaviour, communication and social interaction. Involvement of a complex multidisciplinary team and the role of the family are very important. Neurodevelopmental disorders have become a real problem in Romania, considering the gaps starting with early detection, provision of an integrated and individualised therapeutic process and going further with educational and social inclusion. A centre for children with developmental disorders was opened within the project. The independent life skills of 123 children with developmental disorders from Maramures county, Romania, were improved by providing a modern and efficient package of social services (screening, behavioural therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, art and music therapy, swimming, monitoring and evaluation). A number of 127 parents/legal tutors of children beneficiaries received counselling, enabling them to efficiently manage their child's disorder. The evaluation of services revealed an increase in what regards parents’ involvement in children's recovery process. By organising 5 training courses, the promoter provided access to appropriate and relevant information on how to approach children with developmental disorders for a number of 155 professionals (social workers, special educators, psychologists, teachers and other community members who come into contact with these children). Six information sessions were organised in 6 locations, in partnership with municipalities, to present project activities and the benefits of early screening and intervention in cases of developmental disorders. Over 590 children from 20 kindergartens have benefited from the screening programme developed under the project, 13 of them being referred to complex evaluation. All the 500 copies of the brochure “Survival guide – understanding development disorders” were distributed in many locations in Maramures and also in other parts of Romania. A national conference brought together important specialists from Romania and abroad, giving participants the opportunity to find new information and exchange good practices. Two employees of the promoter were trained in becoming Board Certified Behaviour Analysts. The organisational development activities included developing a volunteer management system, strengthening the team within a teambuilding and developing a 3 years strategy for the association.
Summary of bilateral results