SYMPOSIUM: EARLY INTERVENTION AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

Abstract

In the period between the 19^th and 21^th of May 2011, in Ohrid was held a symposium: early intervention and developmental disorders. The symposium was organized by the Association of special educators and rehabilitators of the Republic of Macedonia and the Pediatric association of Macedonia, supported by the Faculty of Philosophy and Institute of special edu­cation and rehabilitation, the University hospital and the Pediatric clinic.

The theme of the symposium was the early in­ter­vention, which in terms of the children with spe­cial needs has an extremely important pro­fessio­nal and vast social significance. The aim of the symposium was to present situation with the early intervention in Macedonia, to consider foreign experiences and to adopt a strategy for further action and improvement.

The symposium was with international parti­ci­pa­tion.45 lectures were held of which 10 by foreign experts. Among the participants were foreign also guests from Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzego­vi­na, Serbia, Bulgaria and Kosovo. There was a representative from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy.

The symposium was with the active participation of special educators and rehabilitators, pedi­atricians, psychologists, ophtalmologists, otorino­laringologists, speech therapists and physi­atrists.

On the symposium were processed topics such as early screening, early detection and diagnosis, early intervention in high risk newborns and in children with developmental disorders, hearing impairment, vision impairments, speech disor­ders, and the problems of the families of children with special needs. After the lectures, certain proposed measures and conclusions were adopted.

For the improvement of the situation of early intervention, it is necessary to joint the work of the specialists and the experts from many areas through the creation of multidisciplinary teams, and employment of special educators and rehabilitators in all three areas; health, education, labor and social policy.

The early intervention requires connecting and coordinated functioning of the three ministries; health, education, labor and social policy. It is necessary to network and coordinate all institutions that work  with risky infants and children with special needs.

It is also necessary the implementation of auditory screening, early intervention in NICU, early intervention in children with vision impairments.

The goal of the early intervention is primarily preventative. The early intervention is the right of every child and its family. It is a prerequisite for successful inclusion.