Description
The project addresses the challenges faced by the parents of children with special needs who are often left excluded from the services provided to the children. The project aims at empowering parents of such children by mutual support groups where parents will be trained to improve their communication with the children. First, a mutual support group for 15 families with children aged 4-10 in Dobrich District will be set up. Second, the parents will have weekly group sessions including psychological counseling, art workshops, counselling by specialists separately from the children. Third, the parents will be trained to use the Makaton language programme. Fourth, the children will have group sessions using the Montessori approach and will be trained in Makaton. Finally, the parents will have a 2-day training in advocacy with the help of NGOs and parents’ organizations. The project will benefit children with special needs, their parents, the authorities and the local community.
Summary of project results
The project aimed at socialization of children with special needs from kindergartens in the city of Dobrich. The main goal of working with their parents was to set up a group of parents to receive psychological support and develop their competence for positive parenting. The project goals were achieved owing not only to the project team but also to the volunteers who joined the project. The implemented project introduced a new integrated service for children with special needs and their parents. The children developed their main motor, social and cognitive skills, improved their speech skills through music therapy and the Montessori and Makaton programmes. The teachers from kindergartens in the city of Dobrich were trained to create the Montessori environment. The representatives of the NGOs that joined the project activities and the parents developed skills for organizing advocacy campaigns. A new multi-module approach to work with children with special needs and their parents was introduced. More than 15 parents received social and psychological solutions for emergency situations, improved their communication with their children, developed their skills for sharing and providing help and acquired new knowledge about the protection of their rights. 90% of all 15 children reported positive progress in their cognitive, general motor and speech/language development. A Guide on the application of the multi-module approach and a short video about the results achieved were created under the project. Helping Hand Foundation expressed its wish to Dobrich Municipality to apply for delegated budget for the provision of the services under the project.
Summary of bilateral results