MSSA MEMBERS AT A CONFERENCE FOR AUTISM IN POLAND

Abstract

Following the invitation of the National Society for Autism from Poland – Krakow Branch, four members of the Macedonian Scientific Society for Autism (Prof. d-r Vladimir Trajkovski, d-r Emilija Lazarova - Trajkovska, Zhivka Dimitrovska and Vasilka Galevska) in the period 24th –30th November 2008 realized a visit in Krakow, Poland.
The respective visit was realized within the framework of the project “Ecological Support Systems for Autistic People” and it included participation at the international scientific conference “The Rain Man is Among Us”, a study visit and workshops for NGO repre­sen­ta­tives working in the field of autism in Central-East Europe.
MSSA members had the opportunity to visit few institutions for autistic persons in Krakow as are the Special School No.13 and the Special School No.4 where they were introduced with the schools’ organization and activities and were given the opportunity to observe and directly participate in the class work with the pupils. MSSA members also visited the Non-Public Health Care Centre for Autistic Persons where the organization and the activities of the institution were presented.
International conference “The Rain Man is among us” took place at the Faculty of Pedagogy at the Krakow University from 27th until 29th of November 2008.On the first conference day right after the opening ceremony and the ceremonial welcomes by the University professors and the representative of the local authorities followed the inaugural lecture by Prof. Paul Shattock – one of the most famous names in the field of autism. Following the plenary session, the discussions continued, organized in four thematic sessions. Within the framework of the session III entitled “A Person with Autism and Exo-systematic Solution”, Vasilka Galevska presented the paper “Comparative Analysis of the Attitudes of parents of Children With and Without Autism towards the Organization of the System of Protection, Education and Rehabilitation of Persons with Autism in the Republic of Macedonia”. Within the framework of the fourth session “A Person with Autism in the Macro system”, Emilija Lazarova-Trajkovska made presentation of the Macedonian Scientific Society for Autism and its activities. 
The second Conference day continued with the presentations grouped in two plenary sessions, from which we can underline the presentation of Rita Jordan – another worldwide famous name in the field of autism. Also, there was a special workshop organized dedicated to the music education of autistic children as well as poster-session.
The last Conference day, within the framework of the last plenary session, Prof. d-r Vladimir Trakovski had a presentation of its paper “Genetic Evaluation and Genetic Counseling for Autistic Spectrum Disorders”. At the end of the Conference, two workshops dedicated to the micro system support of the autistic persons took place.
MSSA members as well had the opportunity to attend two special events organized as a part of the Conference: the art exhibition of autistic persons “Welcome to My World” at the Krakow Gallery, and the concert of autistic people which took place at the “Radio Krakow” Concert Hall.