Description
Currently, children with disabilities from Bistrita-Nasaud County, especially those with autistic spectrum disorders do not benefit from adapted inclusive education in schools, and most of them do not receive any form of education. The main objective of this project is to increase the integration of preschool children from vulnerable groups and students in general education. The project will detail the concept of inclusive education as a strategic target in developing plans of the schools teaching children with certain disabilities, learning difficulties or Roma children, in correlation with accompanying actions. A study will be made and a county register will be initiated, containing relevant information on these people's further development. 60 teachers will be trained in using inclusive teaching methods, and 45 professionals will be trained to acquire the necessary work competence in dealing with children having autism or connected conditions, and special educational needs.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to introduce and detail the concept of inclusive education in the school inspectorate development plans and to develop extended plans at school level for teaching children with disabilities, learning difficulties and Roma. In order to enhance the impact of the project, the promotor had received additional funds through PLUS and the promotor had implemented supplementary activities focused on cognitive, socio-emotional and metrical development of children and also inter-cultural activities. The project was implemented in Nord-West Region in partnership with four local organizations and one Norwegian institution. The promoter organized an awareness campaign in schools about the inclusive education with focus on the integration problems faced by children with mental disabilities and Roma children. The promoter conducted regional survey of children enrolled in educational system and create a regional register with all cases of children with autism or learning difficulties. At regional level, the promoter succeeded to elaborate County Strategy for integrating children with autism and disseminated to all interested local institutions. The strategy was approved by Bistrita Nasaud Local Council. All indicators regarding the target group were achieved such as number of 61 children involved in the psychological and therapy activities. The children evaluation took place at Educational Center for children with autism that was renovated at the beginning of the project. For each direct beneficiaries the promoter elaborated personalized intervention plans and made proposal for changing the curricula to their special needs. A number of 165 teacher participated to a training program on specific techniques for disabilities children integration. All the participants were certificated. The collaboration with the Norwegian partner was fruitful and it was implicated in the transfer of best practices in this field of children integration. All indicators have been reached and exceeded due to the fact that public authorities showed a highly interests in the project activities.
Summary of bilateral results
During the visit in Romania the representatives of the Norwegian partner introduced the project promoter team and specialists to the realities of working with people with autism and other special needs. They offered counselling as to the integration of these people in society, they offered know how in this respect. During the visit in Norway the representatives of the Romanian partners saw the results of a different approach in working with children and youth with autism and special needs and how adapting the environment helped reaching better the proposed outcome. During the meetings and visits as well as all along the implementation period, the Norwegian partners offered counselling as to adapting curricula for autistic and special needs people, they had meetings with parents and preschool teachers in mainstream education and they offered know how in elaborating the county strategy in the project. They shared their own experience in this respect and guided us into really understanding and respecting these people and their needs.