SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION SCIENCE AND / OR PRACTICE

Abstract

“Special education and rehabilitation – science and / or practice” was the topic of the first international conference held in Sombor, the Republic of Serbia, in the period between the 22^nd and 24^th of October 2010. The conference was organized by the Association of special educators and rehabilitators of Vojvodina, the Department for motor impairments (somatopedy), the Faculty of special education and rehabilitation at the University of Belgrade, the UG Resource centre for special education and rehabilitation at the University of Belgrade and the Association of special educators and rehabilitators in Sombor.

The conference was visited by nearly 100 guests from different countries: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Macedonia and several others. Presented were more than 60 published articles. The articles and presentations were organized in 6 thematic frames: Social inclusion of persons with disabilities; Popularization and promotion for improvement of the functional status of special educators and rehabilitators; Early intervention in special education and rehabilitation; Individualized treatment for developmental difficulties and disabilities; Service centres – resource changes; Education and integration of children and youngsters with developmental disabilities and elders with disabilities. In addition, 14 poster presentations were  introduced: external evaluation and development of inclusive schools; manipulative skills and influence of somatopedic treatment in children with birth trauma of plexus brachialis; the influence of the somatopedic treatment over the development of coordination as basic motor skills in children with visual impairment; education of convicts in punishing facilities; capacity building in schools for children with disabilities; special education students attitudes toward people with disabilities; new academic profiles in special rehabilitation and education; ethical issues in cochlear implantation; special education and rehabilitation in Vojvodina; the importance of sport and recreation in social integration house users; social behavioral system upgrades for youngsters without parental care; genetic aspects of the handicapped; alternative treatments in rehabilitation of autistic persons and physical activity program design for elders.