According to statistics, one in a hundred individuals is estimated to have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a lifetime condition which is characterized by social interaction difficulties and cyclic interests. In Albania this amounts to 32.000 children and adults considering that their number is increasing.
Various activities are held on autism awareness to help people understand and do the impossible for those who suffer autism. The Malteser Consultation and Service Center is doing a lot in this field, especially in working with autistic children and their families. One of the greatest events is the National Autism Awareness Month held in April, during which a great number of awareness activities were held.
A very useful activity of the last year was the three day training seminar (27-29 May 2013) entitled: “Children in the autistic spectrum”, where two experts from Germany were invited to refer in it.
Malteser Albania, the Shkodra Municipality and the Regional Development Center of Disabled Children in Shkodra have seen it reasonable to hold for the second time (20-22 May 2014), a similar theoretical and practical seminar, with the participation of all interested stakeholders, parents, therapists, educators, etc., with the aim to help in identifying as early as possible cases and better ways of treating children of the autistic spectrum.
The first day will be focused on what autism is, how to diagnose it and what kind of therapy to follow; the second day about social competences and communication (problematic behaviors, helpful support, emotions) and the third day will be a practical workshop about cases of autistic children, discussions and at the end of this day there will be a consulting time between staff and parents of autistic children.
Mrs. Anita Zacharias, pediatrician and Mrs. Monika Aly, therapist, are once again invited to refer in the seminar.
A very useful activity of the last year was the three day training seminar (27-29 May 2013) entitled: “Children in the autistic spectrum”, where two experts from Germany were invited to refer in it.
Malteser Albania, the Shkodra Municipality and the Regional Development Center of Disabled Children in Shkodra have seen it reasonable to hold for the second time (20-22 May 2014), a similar theoretical and practical seminar, with the participation of all interested stakeholders, parents, therapists, educators, etc., with the aim to help in identifying as early as possible cases and better ways of treating children of the autistic spectrum.
The first day will be focused on what autism is, how to diagnose it and what kind of therapy to follow; the second day about social competences and communication (problematic behaviors, helpful support, emotions) and the third day will be a practical workshop about cases of autistic children, discussions and at the end of this day there will be a consulting time between staff and parents of autistic children.
Mrs. Anita Zacharias, pediatrician and Mrs. Monika Aly, therapist, are once again invited to refer in the seminar.