Description
In Slovenia, children with autism, as part of population with special needs, are placed in an unequal position. They are not offered sufficient early intervention and special education during their schooling. There is also insufficient knowledge about autism on the side of experts and parents. A specific goal of the project is to develop education and intervention programs and to develop programs that could help their families. The expected project results are early intervention for at least 100 children with autism, to develop a centre for children and youngsters with autism as a way to assist their parents, and to gather at least 55 experts and 100 parents to participate in education in the field of autism. These project results will contribute to finding an interdisciplinary solution combining health care, education and social integration for children and youth with autism. The target groups of the project are children and youngsters with autism, experts working with children with autism, and parents and family members. A partnership with The National Autism Unit at Oslo University Hospital in Norway has been established, and is expected to strengthen bilateral relations in term of professional and international cooperation.
Summary of project results
The specific objective of the project was the development of therapeutic and education programmes, which will reduce the inequity of health in children and youngsters with autism as one of the groups of children with special needs. The objective was fully reached. All planned outcomes were not only reached but even exceeded. The impact on the field has been enormous in terms of therapeutic interventions for children, support for parents and families and education for professionals. The outcomes were: 1. 4782 therapeutic interventions were provided for 260 children with autism. 2. The Respite centre was established with 69 children and youngsters included. 3. 81 professionals from different fields successfully finished on year long functional training on autism. 4. 130 parents were included in one-year education.
Summary of bilateral results
Experts from Norway were actively involved in education of parents and professionals. In this way, they shared their knowledge and experiences. Also, there were many bilateral meetings with sharing of experiences between project partners. Project has brought a very welcomed opportunity to deepen the cooperation in the field of therapeutic treatment of children and youngsters with autism. the Institute of ASD and the NevSom from Oslo University Hospital will continue to work together on development and application of new approaches and involvement of important stakeholders to therapeutic treatment and long-term education for parents and professionals.