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Description
The aim of the project is the creation of a centre for the detection and diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) for children and adolescents that will serve as a ‘one-stop clinic’. This will lead to timely and comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of possible neuro-developmental disorders in children and adolescents of Cyprus. The Centre will offer a specialised inter-professional scientific team and it will increase the capacity of the Mental Health Services Directorate to offer high-quality health services in this area. Through the project’s implementation, the staff involved will receive training in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders, thus increasing the number of specialities with expertise on NDD, providing even higher quality services.
Main activities shall include:
- establishment of a neurodevelopmental disorders centre for children and adolescents;
- training of staff in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders;
- purchase of equipment (i.e. desks, office chairs, examination beds, computers, printers, software, photocopying machine, audiovisual system, etc.).
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to provide multi-level care to children up to 7 years old with neurodevelopmental disorders but also to support and properly guide their families. For this purpose, the aim was to create a Centre where the entire Interprofessional Team would be housed and assessments, diagnosis and treatments would be offered, with the main concern of providing to the children a personalized treatment and support plan.
Through the project, the "Neurodevelopmental Disorders" Centre was established, which is a model of good practice regarding early and valid assessment, diagnosis and therapeutic interventions for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The Centre houses all the necessary specialties, such as clinical psychologist, occupational therapists, child psychiatrists and speech therapist. In addition, the Centre offers psychoeducation, counselling and support to the children''s families and the possibility of frequent meetings to discuss and re-evaluate each case.
A total of 234 children received the services of the Centre’s and 4,398 visits were made. At the same time, the creation of the Centre has contributed, through social media and the internet in general, to raise public awareness as regards to Neurodevelopmental Disorders, especially the autistic spectrum.