Journal of Special Education and Rehabilitation

19-30

Authors: Dragana M. KLJAJIKJ, Sanja M. TRGOVCHEVIKJ,Radmila M. NIKIKJ

Interpersonal communication, psychosocial and mental development of personality and its all other functions take place through the motor control. The most common neurological syndrome is a type of peripheral paresis/paralysis of plexus bracialis, which in most cases occurs at birth and significantly compromises the growth and development of the upper extremities and affects the psychomotor performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of visual perception in children with lesion of plexus brachialis and the effect of the somatopedic treatment over the level of increase of the visual perception. The study sample was consisted of 60 preschool children accommodated at the Rehabilitation Centre “Dr. Miroslav Zotović” in Belgrade (experimental group) and examiners that followed regular checkups and had discontinuity in their therapy (control group). For the research purposes, we used The Test for Visual Perception Assessment. By analyzing the results, we concluded that in both, in the first and the second measuring there was a statistically significant correlation between the experimental and the control groups (I measuring: p<0.001, r = 0.408; II measuring: p <0.001, r = 0.593).

46-60

Authors: Roza N. KRSTESKA

Introduction: Late-life depression is one of the most frequent disorders among the seniors and often remains unrecognized. One of the reasons why late-life depression often passes unrecognized is the comorbidity. Hearing and visual impairments are very common condition among the elderly. Thus, depression among the elderly is commonly accompanied by hearing and visual impairment. The epidemiology together with the visual and hearing-related problems still remains poorly investigated. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between hearing and visual function and the late-life depression. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a random sample of 120 participants, 60 patients with late-life depression and 60 community-dwelling older adults aged over 60 and without the symptoms of depression. All participants were examined using a questionnaire designed for the aim of the study to measure the severity of the symptoms (scale with scores from 1 to 3 - from mild to profound degree) of self-reported hearing and visual impairment. In addition, existing medical records and the Geriatric Depression Scale were used as well. Results: The patients with late-life depression in larger number suffered from hearing and visual impairment compared to the non - depressed elderly people: hearing impairments (χ2=6.97, df=1, p=0.0083) and visual impairments (χ2=4.37, df=2, p=0.012). Conclusion: These data suggest that the risk of late-life depression is higher among elderly patients with hearing and visual impairment. A comprehensive annual eye exam is the most important step that can be undertaken to help monitor and protect normal visual function in the elderly. It is necessary to conduct routine screening and early treatment of depression in elderly patients with hearing and visual impairment within the primary care practice. Ophthalmologists and otologists should be aware of the need for routine screening for geriatric syndromes in the eye and otology clinics.

77-94

Authors: Roy I. BROWN

INTRODUCTION: Quality of life as an approach to intellectual and developmental disabilities has developed considerable over the past 30 years and now is having major impacts on the research, the delivery of services and the setting of policy in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. AIM: This article introduces and describes the development of quality of life, its major concepts and principles and links them to research, practice and policy. DISCUSSION: Quality of life is seen as a sensitizing concept and one that can bring further cohesion to research and practice and provide a framework for policy. Quality of life is, as a developmental process or approach, bringing together previous ideas such as normalization and pulling together a number of principles, which are relevant to those working in this field. CONCLUSIONS: The ideas and the areas described are linked, and it is argued that a full understanding of the research concepts and their practical implications are necessary, if the policy is to become the driver of practice over the life span, while including intervention and support along with the education of personnel.

109-112

Authors: Hristina MITREVA

On the 29.08.2011, at the Faculty of Philosophy was held a successful seminar with the topic "Early intervention: prevention and challenges in the early childhood", a subject that nowadays attracts great interest. The seminar had a goal to achieve better life quality for families. It was followed with great pleasure and attention by a large number of participants, who were directly or indirectly involved in the early intervention. Leading and experienced professionals from Austria, Germany and Macedonia held presentations which created atmosphere for open discussion and dialog. This resulted with many shared experiences and opinions for improvement of this issue in our country. The introduction was brought by Prof. Dr. Lena Damovska, a full time professor at the Institute of Pedagogy. Afterwards, Prof. Dr. Manfred Pretis showed gratitude to the guests for their attendance and emphasized his great pleasure for the realization of this scientific gathering and the diligence of the participants to this subject. At the end of introductory part the main organizer of the seminar, Prof. Dr. Vladimir Trajkovski, welcomed the audience and thanked the guest speakers for their impeccable motivation and desire in their unselfish expansion of knowledge among the attendees. The first lecture was presented by Prof. Dr. Manfred Pretis, a professor for trans-disciplinary early childhood intervention at the Faculty of Medicine in Hamburg, Germany. In his presentation, “Family before everything else: common collaboration with parents”, he emphasized the crucial need for parents involvement in their child’s development. This engagement leads to creation of environment that will represent “window of opportunity”, filed were practical stimulation will dominate as most important element in the early intervention. Accent was placed on the need of creating confidential interaction and communication between the parents and the professional team, in order to form a collaborative partnership that results with positive outcomes. By his own experience he explained that in the developed countries there are many different programs for early intervention from which parents can choose the most appropriate one. While in Macedonia unfortunately this is still an unfulfilled need. The following presentation was given by Prof. Dr. Zons Armin, a professor for special education at the University for Applied Sciences in Harthausen. His lecture was titled as “Legal basis for early child intervention: What kind of collaboration is necessary for us”. He gave a description of the legislations in Germany and some outcomes from Kiggs’s research. He also presented the laws for performance of rehabilitation and the centers that are responsible for the implementation of early intervention. He noted that there are centers for early help that are family centered aiming for better insight and work with the child, involved interdisciplinary team and manly pedagogical focus. At the end of the first part in this seminar, a presentation was given by Prof. Dr. Annette Hartung, a professor for early childhood intervention. She discussed the “Family focus in practice”, presenting a real practical examples from the everyday life, which she experienced during the application of early intervention. She emphasized that the family as one unit always needs to be seen as a whole, where higher stimulations need to be present for the use of different services, using the ones that are most relevant for their better function. The first presentation in the second part of the scientific gathering was given by Prof. Dr. Lena Damovska on the topic “To what extend are being inclusive the EIC services in Macedonia”. This subject once more expressed the need of these services in Macedonia, very important domain in the early prevention and intervention during the education. The early intervention in our country is still at the beginning or on unsatisfactory level. First of all, the parents as primary care givers deny they have problem causing difficulties when the intervention is applied in the letter developmental period. Her experience agreed with the views of the attendees, meaning that the implementation of the inclusive services in our county is still on a level of “baby steps”. This means that Macedonia has the need of professionals-special educators in the field of education. The deficiency of staff, as well as the insufficient knowledge of the parents indicates that our country has a lot to do in order to reach realistic and sufficient results. Further statement was given by Dr. Aleksandra Dimova, expert in early intervention for vulnerable children in the context of mental disorders among their parents, who at the moment works as a psychiatrist in Austria. Her presentation had the topic “New target groups in the EIC: children of mentally vulnerable parents”. She emphasized that children who live with parent/s that have some psychiatric disorder are at a risk and are target groups for initiation of early interventional process. She presented this alarming condition which needs immediate resolution in order to create place and time for early prevention. The need for a team to work seriously with this riskier by the day group of young individuals and the need of creation and the maintenance of healthy and normal developmental environment was emphasized. Real barriers that professionals are facing with this group of parents were shown, taking into consideration that the necessary help is achieved with great difficulty. In order to reduce these obstacles, an earlier preventive action is important to be started. Prof. Dr.Vladimir Trajkovski, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor at the Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation in Skopje gave the final presentation. He discussed the topic “Early childhood intervention of children with Autism”, giving various reviews of early intervention of children with pervasive developmental disorder Autism, a disorder that has unfortunately increase in Macedonia. He presented the services of early intervention that are important for the children with autistic spectrum disorders which are responsible for additional financial pressure within the family, as well as the achievement of some better quality. Trough his presentation, he emphasized the comprehensive programs such as the TEACCH program that aims to obtain communication, perception, imitation, social and motor skills. The Denver model was mentioned as a developmental approach based on the comprehensive ABA program which contains procedures for identification of the reasons that influence the behavioral swings. The early intervention is provided by a team obtaining continuous parental collaboration and strategies for solving problems in the behavior and intensive work with the child. At the very end of this seminar, discussion was initiated, where the attendees were asked to share opinions and examples for early intervention and the principles in other countries, or their suggestions for improvement in any professional field that handles this issue. Indeed, this scientific gathering attracted the attention of many visitors that took active parts aiming to achieve some results that will not stay only verbal, but create basis for practical use in their work. One more time was proven that there is an interest for knowledge improvement and even the public holidays were not an obstacle for professional upgrading.

115-119

Authors: Hristina MITREVA

The professionals working with persons with developmental disabilities started to publically discuss the problems that these persons have related to fulfilling their sexual needs as well as the essential need of adapted sexual education for them. Since there is no longer a breach for ignoring the everyday existence of this reality, on 02.11.2011 at the Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje was held very interesting and practical conference with the subject: "Experiences and challenges while working with persons with disability". This event was organized by the association for health, education and research – H.E.R.A., an organization that impeccably fights for popularization and expansion of the policy supporting the sexual needs of the persons with disability. The initiative itself showed that Macedonia is no longer afraid or reluctant to talk in public on the subject that is generally being avoid, which is unfortunately even more vulnerable and sensitive when persons with disabilities are concerned. At the beginning of this gathering, introduction was given by Mila Caroska who is the program coordinator of the program for approach-H.E.R.A. She greeted the participants and thanked for the expressed interest on the issue. Afterwards Doc. Dr. Zoran Kitkanj thanked the organizers for enabling a concept with theme that has great interest, emphasizing that sexuality of children in the period of development and the sexual abuse are serious problem for everyone and for the same thing should openly be discussed. Right after his presentation, Eleonora Nikolovska gave an introduction as a representative of the city of Skopje, at the department for child and social protection of children. Trough her presentation she talked about current and future priority plans in the field of social and health protection. She also highlighted the productive collaboration of the department together with the organization „Poraka“ (Message). This organization sets and achieves goals while creating an en­vi­ron­ment for direct collaboration in certain areas or for certain issues and has a goal to achieve their actualization, implementation and creation of a better future. At the end of the interdictory part, a presentation was given by the executive director Bojan Jovanovski who expressed great appreciation to the Faculty of Philosophy and the Institute for Special Education in regards to their unselfish and consistent support of the project H.E.R.A. He confirmed that, because of the inaccessibility of the sexual education and its mandatory implementation within the schools, the organization takes great swing and advocacy for sexual education of the children. This issue in our country is unfortunately still being avoided, creating big barriers and challenges, especially for the persons with disabilities. He highlighted that even though sexuality is inconvenient topic for a discussion; their motto remains to be popularization and expansion of the sexual education, the rights and protection, as well as the right for pleasure and enjoyment of sexuality that is a part of every person’s life. Further, along the program followed several presentations by the organizers and the people who were directly involved in the issue, as well as a time for open discussion was considered at the end of every presentation. The first presentation was given by Mila Caroska a program coordinator of the program for approach H.E.R.A., in which she presented what this organization has done so far and the adequate goals that the organization has set in the domain of team effort. Trough her comprehensible presentation she emphasized the sexual rights of the persons with disabilities, including and underlining that when it comes down to the question of sexual activity, these individuals should not be discriminated. On the contrary, they should have the same sexual rights as the residual population. She also presented relevant recommendations for the persons with disabilities and their sexuality, with clear goals which, despite the development of appropriate politics and sexual education, their essential part is to support the right of every person to enjoy, regardless of their handicap. Further, M-r Olivera Rašič started her presentation with practical information for her research with the topic "Sexual behavior, sexual education and prevention from sexual abuse of persons with disability". She defined particular terms and showed in details the types of unaccepted sexual behavior and actions towards the children with disabilities. Trough the presentation could be noticed the urgent necessity of adequate and adapted sexual education for these individuals. The presence of sexual activity of the disabled should not be neglected or considerate aimless, despite of their handicap. The results unfortunately showed that the sexual abuse of the persons with disabilities is evident, leading to recommendation for serious approach towards the education, prevention and protection of these persons. The practical results gave an idea that shouldn’t be ignored, but must be considered as an inevitable action where a need for constant and professional involvement exists. Further, Doc. Dr. Zoran Kitkanj held a presentation with the topic "Sexual abuse, problems in practice". He emphasized the sexual abuse of children as a very important part that is currently unfortunately increasing. He stated that the term sexual abuse includes not only violent force over the child to sexual intercourse, but also other sexual activities such as showing porn materials, rude cuddling with the intimate parts of their body and other although not much impressive but crucial signs of existing sexual abuse and harassment over the children. As a professional in the legal part, he underlined the punishment for these shameful acts, such as initiation of actions and procedures for sanctioning the abusers. Luckily, he had numerous experiences that he unselfishly shared with the visitors in the auditorium, in many ways educating them of the possible signs, symptoms and acts over children that could be a sign of the presence of sexual abuse. In the second part of this conference, Prof. Dr. Vladimir Trajkovski, the president of the Macedonian scientific association for Autism gave a presentation with the topic "Sexually transmitted diseases at persons with disability". Because of the insufficient records of the persons infected with sexual diseases in Macedonia, he decided to share information from the USA. First he presented what sexually transmitted diseases actually are and what kinds of diseases exist. Very important point was made saying that persons with disabilities should continuously attend gynecological examination, due to asymptomatic signs showing that they can develop much more serious consequences. It was emphasized that the presence of some kind of handicap does not have to mean that the persons with disabilities are not sexually active. On the contrary, they are sexual active and in the Western countries there are adequate persons that are paid to sexually satisfy these individuals. Among the other, individuals with disabilities also are more exposed to and victims of sexual harassment. Trough the presentation he showed realistic barriers witch the persons with disabilities encounter. As a result of the poor medical conditions and the in adapted means, the assessment very often can give incomplete or incorrect results. Impolite behavior of the professional staff can also prevent the persons with handicap to ask for help, while barriers in the communication can create serious obstruction in performing appropriate assessment. However, it was emphasized that need for sexual education, good media coverage and a project that will include this serious problem exist. Afterwards, Vlado Krstovski, the director of the RCPLIP, talked about "The role of NGO’s in the improvement of the conditions of the persons with disabilities in the Republic of Macedonia". He presented his involvement trough setting up a civil sector that deals with elaboration, evaluation and implementation of the politics for sexual rights and the persons with disability. He underlined clearly that continuous effort should be placed on the sexual education such as respecting the human rights regardless of physical or psychical disabilities. He recommended the audience to take a look in the given brochure that explains the existing politics and to think in which way they can take a part in order to contribute in more practical and efficient use. At the end of the conference there were remarkable presentations inspired from the practical experiences working in the special institutions in Skopje, Štip and Gostivar. The professional staff very explicitly and realistically presented their own results, methods, assets, ways and approaches of work, that they have applied with a goal to accomplish the program of sexual satisfaction of the persons with disability. Real situations, problems and solutions were shared with the audience having a chance to get useful information for their own practical work. Interesting discussions and questions were open of the evident problems that the persons with disabilities have, to which were given unselfish and professional answers. At the end it was concluded that this project should continue aiming for welfare of these persons, such as arising the awareness of the parents who need to understand that the sexual need is part of every person, including their children with disability. At last was created an event where a chance to speak openly about the everyday life was given, which aimed for elimination of the sensitivity and increase of the understanding that the lack of public discussion will not bring solutions that will improve life quality.

123-124

Authors: Goran PETRUSHEV

After successful organization of the last year's International Symposium for early intervention and developmental disorders, the Association of Special Educators and Rehabilitators of the Republic of Macedonia continues its activities for promoting the theory and practice of special education through organizing professional events. At the meeting held on 26.12.2011, the presidency of the Association decided to organize a symposium with the subject "Inclusive education - current status, future challenges". Aside the Association, among the organizers will be the Macedonian Ministry of Education and Sciences and the Faculty of Philosophy - Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation. The symposium will be held from 17th until 19th of May 2012, in Strumica.

25-32

Authors: Nergis RAMO AKGJUN, Risto PETROV

While working with pupils with special educational needs, the necessity of compassion while communicating with them is more obvious. The exchange of emotions between the child and the special educator, as well as the way the special educator responds to them, is fundamental for the further development of their feelings. For this reason, the goal of our research was to confirm the necessity of more sensitive communication while working with pupils with moderate intellectual disability following the emotional-expressive principles of the ICDP program. According to the defined goal, the subject of this research was to gather information regarding the level of sensitive communication in our special educational system, trough special educators' self-evaluation procedure and evaluation of pupils with moderate intellectual disability and their parents. The representative sample was consisted of three groups: special educators, pupils with moderate intellectual disability and their parents. Every group was consisted of twenty examinees or in total the research included 60 participants. The statistical data processing was achieved via tables, graphics and with determination of the R X C Exact Contingency Table. The research results showed strong statistically significant difference in the answers provided by the three groups of examinees. Based on the results, the main conclusion is that during the educational activities in the special educational system, the pupils with moderate intellectual disability have needs for greater sensitivity in the communication and interaction with their special educators.

50-58

Authors: Neda MILOSHEVIKJ, Mile VUKOVIKJ

Specific language disorders include primary speech and language disorder developing in intelligent children without hearing damaged and visible neural damage. Even the fact of grammatical-syntactically deficits as cha­ra­cte­ris­tic of specific language disorders, they are not properly examined. Because of numerous varia­tions in clinical manifestation and expressi­on of specific language disorders, there is need for specific analysis of grammatical-syntactically deficits in children who had diagnoses of speech - language disorders. The aim of study was to analyse the grammatical-syntactically deficits in children who had diagnoses of speech - language disorders according to non- specific EEG changes. Material and methods: The entire sample included 30 patients from the Institute for Psycho - Physiological and Speech Disor­ders “Professor dr. Cvetko Brajovic”. The sample was divided in the two groups by the findings of neurologists. The tests used for spe­c­ific lan­gu­a­ge disorders were: test decrypting of pic­tu­re. The results were processed by methods of des­criptive statistics. Results: Based on the descriptive statistical analysis, it was shown that there are differences in the grammatical-syntactic deficits examined groups. Conclusion:Assessment of the grammatical-syntactically abilities compa­red to non-specific EEG changes may have practical importance in specifying of the speech - language disorders and their prognosis.

77-90

Authors: Darinka SHOSTER, Nada DOBROTA DAVIDOVIКЈ, Silvana FILIPOVA, Biljana LOZANOVSKA

Introduction: Stuttering is not a problem of individuals, but it’s a problem in the verbal communication with others. Individual and group treatment is equally important to use while working with people who stutter. Purpose: Group treatment is used to allow the patient adequate adjustment in all problematic situations (situations increasing stuttering) in the environment and to gradually inhibit negative emotions. Material and methods: Objective speech tool is used in this testing (evaluation of speech status under Fiedler, PA Standop, R.Stotern-Schwarzenberg, Munchen, 1978) to determine the degree and type of speech disorder. The anxiety feeling is also evaluated, where the subjective assessment of patients' anxiety is expressed in units SUD (subjective units of disturbance or distress - subjective assessment of suffering) Results and Conclusion: The results showed that group stationary treatment has a huge significance in reducing the anxiety of patients who stutter.

103-106

Authors: Ana PETKOVSKA

In the last six decades, the autism has arisen significant interest among doctors and researchers. Great achievements have been made in this field of study, in order to help understand this intriguing disorder. However, despite all the efforts of raising the awareness among the population in our country regarding the autism and the pervasive development disorders, these topics are still little known about. After a couple of years following the demands of the modern society, the Monograph 'Autism' received addition written by Prof. Dr. Vladimir Trajkovski. The comprehensive book of 'Autism and pervasive development disorders' was pub­lished on 3rd of June, 2011. The improvements made in the content and the complexity of the book, reflect the significant progress during the period of seven years. The book “Autism and pervasive development disorders” is written in 412 pages, divided into 14 chapters: history, definition and classification of the autism and pervasive development disorders; epidemiological characteristics of the autism; etiology and pathogenesis of the autism; neuropathology and neuroradiological studies regarding the autism; clinical characteristics of autism; diagnosis and differential diagnosis of autism; treatment of autism; results and prognosis for the autism; medical conditions with the autism; autism and sexuality; Asperger's syndrome; Rett's syndrome; infantile disin­tegrated disorder and pervasive development disorders not specified in another way (PDD-NOS). Each chapter separately re­pre­sents a unique possibility for students to easily get the desired information and master more successfully the essential material. Prof. Dr. Vladimir Trajkovski presents us with a complete overview of the modern approaches in classification and definition of the autism and the pervasive development disorders, in order to achieve on-time diagnosis of the disorders present among small children. The depth of information in the section with epidemiological characteristics of the autism can be seen from the use of correct and precise empirical data, which gives a complete idea for the increased incidence of this condition worldwide. Since there isn't only one reason for the origin of autism, the author describes in details the etiology and pathogenesis of the autism. The rea­ders can learn about the genetics and immunogenetics of autism, the immunological disorders, the biochemical and metabolic disorders of this syndrome, with special emphasis placed on the mercury as an etiological factor. The author explains the connection of autism with the functional and structural changes in the brain, with detailed analysis of the neuropathological and neuro­ra­dio­logical studies. Many people have doubts of what the autism is and how can one recognize an autistic child, so for that reason in the fifth chapter are presented the basic characteristics which are universal and used for diagnosing the autism. Furthermore, Prof. Trajkovski emphasizes the need for early diagnosis of the disorder for on-time start with appropriate treatment. The author enables an overview of the contemporary pharmacological treatments and the importance of potential gains in certain cases from the treatment with medicines. One particular questions being asked by anyone involved in this problem; What are the results and prognosis of the autism; is elaborated in the eighth chapter. New addition to the book are the chapters in which are described the autism and the sexuality; Asperger's syndrome, Rett's syndrome, the infantile disintegrated disorder and pervasive development disorders not specified in another way. According to the above mentioned, the chapters in this book are a testimony of the progress as well as the constant need for researching. The author uses vast and comprehensive literature which is notably updated and revised. The book is written up to academic and aesthetically satisfactory level and despite the specialized terminology, it is still intelligible for any type of readers. Particularly outstanding is the rich and illustrative cover made up to world standards. 'Autism and pervasive development disorder' is intended for the students from the second and third cycle of studies at the Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation at the Faculty of Philosophy. However, it can also be of use to medical doctors, residents on psychiatry, pediatricians, psychologists, speech therapist, social workers, so they can extend their knowledge and at last but not least significant, in this book each parent to an autistic child can find advices, encouragement and hope trough their journey with their child. It is recommendable for every school regardless of size, that has a responsibility for education and upbringing of children with autism and other pervasive development disorders, to have this book on the library bookshelves. The book can be purchased from the Student service at the Faculty of philosophy in Skopje for a symbolic price of only 900 denars.

111-112

Authors: Angela CHINGOSKA

This year for the first time on 13 of аpril 2011 in the amphitheatre of the Medical Faculty, in organization by the University Clinic for Psychiatry in Skopje and in collaboration with the Association of Psychiatrists of the Republic of Macedonia, the Macedonian Scientific Association for Autism – MSAA and the Medical Faculty of Skopje, it was held a symposium with the topic “Autism spectrum disorders – diagnostics, early intervention and prevention”. This symposium followed the celebration of the Word Day of Autism. The symposium was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Marija Raleva, who saluted the guests and briefly explained the nature of the autistic disorders which were the major motivation for organizing a conference of this kind. Along, Prof. Dr. Raleva also presented her work with the title “Autism Spectrum Disorders – diagnostic possibilities”, followed by another presentation from Dr. Kamka Paketchieva with the title “Autism Spectrum Disorders against Early Child Psychosis”. After, the article “Autism Identification, Diagnostics and Early Interventions in the Republic of Macedonia” was presented by Prim. Dr. Meri Boshkovska. Exceptional contribution to enrichment of the knowledge made the article titled “Prevention from Autism” written by Prof. Dr. Vladimir Trajkovski. Further, followed a video presentation of the “Interview for Autism Diagnostics” – ADI-R. The symposium ended with a discussion, during which the audience had an opportunity to make statements, to ask questions and express appreciation for the new knowledge gained regarding the developmental disorders discussed. The symposium was certificated by the Doctor's Chamber of the Republic of Macedonia and the doctors, professors, masters, special educators and other experts who have participated had a chance to receive a certificate for their presence at the symposium that contributed for enrich­ment of their knowledge and experience.

115-116

Authors: Valentina DUKOVSKA

In the period between the 19th and 21th 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.

17-31

Authors: Ilija TODOROV, Vladimir TRAJKOVSKI

Persons with Broca’s aphasia socialize in society much faster, because of the early rehabilitation treatment using the speech therapy. In the beginning of the illness, the voice production is arduous and the speech is with variable prosody. The patient expresses himself exceptionally with nouns and working verbs, also using mimics and gestures. The main purpose of the research is the evaluation of the communicational language skills of persons with Broca’s aphasia, even in the acuteness of the illness. The goal is also to examine and establish the opinion of persons with Broca’s aphasia, their family members and medical staff regarding the use of early rehabilitation treatment with speech therapy. The basic tasks of this research are to determine whether the disturbance of verbal interaction is often followed with speech apraxia and agrammatism among the persons suffering from Broca’s aphasia. Two types of examinees are included in the research. The survey was conducted in Skopje and in a period of three months. The data gained from the research are grouped, tabulated, processed and graphically shown using the program Microsoft Office Excel 2003. The differecnces in the data of the examinees is analyzed with Chi square test with level of sig­ni­ficance р<0.05. From the analyzis and inter­pre­tation of the results we can see that persons with Broca’s aphasia, although produce in­com­ple­te sentences, they verbalise sentences with content which are informative for their in­ter­lo­cu­tor and the auditory understending is less de­ma­­ged than the expressive funcion of the speech. In conclusion, the study found that early rehabilitation treatment using speech therapy for persons with Broca’s aphasia resulted in faster improvements and better capabilities for speech-language communicational skills.

41-55

Authors: Tatjana ZORCEC, Nada POP-JORDANOVA

Introduction: Obsessive-compulsive disorder [OCD] is characterized by repetitive, disturbing obsessions and/or compulsions. Obsessions are thoughts, images or feelings which are unwanted, persistent and recurrent. Compulsions are repetitive and ritual motor acts which are performed to decrease the anxiety level caused by repetitive obsessions. The onset of the OCD is typically during adolescence or early adulthood. Its prevalence among children is from 1% to 3% and it appears to be more present among boys than girls. Nowadays, the most effective way to treat OCD is to combine psychopharmacological with cognitive-behavioral treatment strategies. In the past decades researchers were more involved in investigating the role of the executive functions [EF] in psychiatric disorders. Aim of the study: to investigate EF among children with OCD by using Event Related Potentials (ERPs) on the Go/NoGo tasks. Subjects and methods: The sample is comprised of 20 children from both genders, between seven and 14 years of age [М=10,33±1,83], all diagnosed with OCD. Psychological evaluation was performed with Child Behavior Check List, Kohs cubes for assessment of the intellectual capacities, Beck Depression Inventory, The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children, Stroop Color Word Test and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Neuropsychological evaluation was performed with the Visual Continuous Performance Test [VCPT] from which the Event Related Potentials [ERP] components were extracted. Results: There is a clear presence of obsessions and/or compulsions, absence of symptoms of depression, presence of perseverative errors and mild difficulties in mental flexibility. The ERP results cannot be understood as a disturbance of the EF in a direct sense, rather than as a disturbed normal functioning caused by the high anxiety level. Conclusion: There is no significant clinical manifestation of cognitive dysfunction among children with OCD in the early stage of the disorder, but it could be expected the same one to be appearing in the later stages of the disorder.

69-85

Authors: Roland PAULAUSKAS

The development of civilization made crises an inseparable part of our lives. Crises manifest themselves in almost all social areas and organizations, including educational institutions. The goals of the article are to present a theoretical model of normal, deviant and antisocial behaviors, and discuss the psycho-social characteristics of emotionally disturbed adolescents situated in a residential special education school in the United States. The article also gives an analysis of their most prevalent behavioral crises, escalation stages, as well as nonviolent crisis prevention and intervention strategies. The methods that were used include scientific literature review, analysis of statistical information supplied from different government sources, review and analysis of student records, as well as the author’s analytical reflections in working with emotionally disturbed youngsters in residential special education schools in the United States. The results of the study indicate that scientists from different fields use different terminology to describe socially nonconforming behaviors. The author presents a theoretical model of normal, deviant and antisocial behavior that could enhance better understanding and identification of high risk situations and conduct leading to serious crises. The analysis of student records revealed that most of the adolescents situated in special education residential schools are diagnosed with a number of mental health problems. This suggests that the currently prevailing care and education paradigm in the special education residential schools should shift to a more comprehensive treatment paradigm. The article also discusses the pros and cons of nonviolent crisis intervention. It is the author’s opinion that all special education schools serving children with emotional disorders should adopt one of the nonviolent crisis intervention models and develop and implement crisis management policies, plans and procedures.

101-102

Authors: Olivera RASHIKJ

Between the 7th and 9th of October 2010, in the conference hall of Hotel Continental, a conference on the topic “Towards living in the community: Actual conditions and future challenges,” was conducted. The conference was organized by the following organizations: EASPD, “PORAKA” - the state center for support of people with intellectual disabilities, “Open the Windows,” the Macedonian Scientific Society for Autism and the desk office of the attaché for social political affairs (BAMSK) of the Austrian embassy in Skopje. The main goal of the conference was for “Building the bridges of knowledge and good practice for improving the social conditions of people with disabilities.” Through discussions and exchanges of experiences from different existing conditions in regions across Europe, providing and facilitating the full involvement of individuals with disabilities within the society was discussed, all in the spirit of the Convention for the rights of people with disabilities adopted by the UN. The conference was organized in six sessions and two sessions of workshops assembled by 10 sub-workshops. The conference was graced by the presence of 200 guests from different countries around Europe: Great Britain, France, Austria, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, Malta, Holland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania and so on. Among them, 51 guests had taken active part with presentations. A special honor were the presences of Mr. Franz Wolfmayr, president of the EASPD; Mr. Jan Jarab, regional represent for Europe, High commissariat for human rights of the UN; Mr. Thorsten Afflerbach, mayor of the Department for integration of people with disabilities, the Department for social politics, the General directorate for social cohesion; Mr. Gero Stuller, attaché for social politics and accredited representative of the Federal ministry for labor, social work and protection of consumers of the embassy of Austria in Zagreb and Skopje and Mr. Luk Zelderlo, general secretary of the European association of service agencies for people with disabilities. More eminent representatives from the Republic of Macedonia were Mr. Dzeljalj Bajrami, minister for labor and social politic and Mrs. Slobodanka Lazova Zdravkovska, chef of the Department for integration of people with disabilities at the Macedonian ministry for labor and social politics. Prof. Dr. Vladimir Trajkovski attended the conference as an active representative from the Faculty of Philosophy for The Institute for Special Education and Rehabilitation, as well as president of the Macedonian Scientific Society for Autism. The conference was abound with numerous existing issues such as systems for quality enforced special social and service agencies, deinstitutionalization, systems for quality, training of the employees, involvement of the users and assessment of the needs, networking, availability and services for support of people with disabilities in Europe, providing availability and e-availability in the society, availability of information and the society, education, employment, design for all and e-involvement. The conference was enclosed with the General Assembly of the EASPD.

107-108

Authors: Olivera RASHIKJ

“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 22nd and 24th 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.

111-112

Authors: Angelka VELKOSKA

Faithful to the tradition, this year’s International Day of People with Disabilities was appropriately marked by the Faculty of Philosophy, organized by the Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation. The event began with the art colony where children with disabilities participated by creating drawings and expressions. In this way, the children had the opportunity to have fun, make friends and most importantly to attract the attention of the audience by highlighting their abilities and skills. In the official part of the event speeches were given by Prof Dr. Goran Ajdinski, the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Doc. Dr. Zoran Kitkanj, the Head of the Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation and Mr. Xhelal Bajrami, Minister of Labor and Social Politics. As part of their speeches, they highlighted what has been realized in the educational process of persons with disabilities, the institutional and non-institutional care provided to these individuals, the legal provisions that protect the rights of persons with disabilities, and the future plans and activities that must be taken in order to improve the overall treatment of them. Ljupco Ajdinski, PhD, awarded the prize for Student of the Generation of the Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation for 2005-2009 to Hristina Miteva. The part for cultural entertainment has been successfully implemented by the students from SES “St. Kliment Ohridski” from Novo Selo, Strumica. Until the next celebration, we remain committed to continuously working toward improving the educational, clinical and socio-economic areas for rehabilitation and creating conditions for higher inclusion of persons with disabilities in all spheres of the society.

115-118

Authors: Natasha STANOJKOVSKA-TRAJKOVSKA

The Macedonian Law of Social Protection provides assistance for children without parents and parental care through non-institutional care by offering accommodation in foster families, whether it is for children belonging to the wider population or for children with special educational needs. When it comes to children with special educational needs, we would not be able to base the research only on individual moni­toring, but inevitably extract information direc­tly from the caregivers and the centres for social work. That is why the subject of this master thesis is children with special educational needs placed in foster families in the Republic of Macedonia and the foster families as well. The master thesis is presented in 156 pages. It consists of five parts: theoretical foundations, research methodology, results of the research and discussion, conclusions and proposed measures. In the proceedings, the used literature is listed and at the very end the articles are given. The first part of the thesis, named “theoretical base,” is an overview of several groups of issues. The research problem is defined, a definition of the term “persons with disabilities” is given as well the attention to each group separately. Furthermore, on a theoretical basis, the development of protection and rehabilitation is illustrated, primarily in regards to institutional care, with an emphasis on the process of deinstitutionalization and the development of non-institutional protection in Macedonia. As a result of these two processes, foster families have emerged whom are given special attention in this research. At the very end of this section experiences of other countries are presented, mainly neighbouring ones. The research section presents the methodology and defines the subject, goals, objectives, hypothesis, variables, methods, techniques and instruments, population and sample, statistical data processing and organization and the course of the research. The sample was composed of representatives from teams who work directly on the process of accommodation in foster families in the centres for social work in Kochani, Kriva Palanka, Skopje, Prilep, Krushevo, Makedonski Brod, Ohrid, Veles, as well as foster families from these communities. Respondents are 18 experts from the above centres for social work with different profiles of expertise (social workers, pedagogues and psychologists). Seventy-one care providers are surveyed who gave information on 107 children with special educational needs placed in foster families. The main goal of this research is to analyze the current state of this form of care, the development of a network of foster families for children with special educational needs in the territory of Macedonia. The opportunities for the development and improvement of foster care should receive recognition and facilitate greater use, improving the quality of life for children under its protection. The data was collected using questionnaires designed for professionals from centres for social work and caregivers belonging to foster families who accommodate children with special educational needs. Meetings with the professionals and caregivers were recorded as well as their comments regarding the issues that answer the question in the hypotheses. The interviews also helped to better display the state of accommodations for children with special educational needs in foster families’ homes. The most relevant comments are given in the part presenting the results. The collected data is grouped and presented in tables. The situation of caregiving for children with special educational needs in the Republic of Macedonia is presented descriptively and accompanied by frequent responses to the questionnaires. The third part presents the results of the research, with extensive commentary dominated by tables and graphs. This section shows the general data about the respondents. In the proceeding, views of the experts from the centres for social work in the included municipalities, as well as the views of the foster families were presented. This section is an analysis of the results of the foster families and the children accommodated in these families, and a positive relation toward children and an interest to accept more children is discovered. Remarks are given to some of the centres for social work, criticising their low level of interest in the children and the recommendation for more attention to the needs of the children. In the fourth part of the thesis, verification of the hypotheses and conclusions are made. Based on this proposal measures are offered. There are no reservations that the accommodation of children with special educational needs in foster care is a far better form of childcare compared to institutional care and therefore it needs to develop further. This form of protection is welcomed by both professionals from the centres for social work and foster caregivers. The centres for social work suggest the need for including a special educator, being an expert most competent to work in teams accommodating the children with special educational needs, as well as fulfilling the requirements for developing materials and organizing better training. In the entire territory of the Republic of Macedonia, it is necessary to organize a campaign to inform the population on the procedure of placement for this group of children in foster care institutions. The dissemination of information can be achieved through public discussions and information via media, in order for the wider public to realize how they can contribute in developing a network of foster families throughout the state. The largest percentage of current foster families have low educational and socio-economic statuses, so it is necessary to raise public awareness and to activate those with higher levels of educations and material wealth to accommodate children without parents and parental care. A large percentage of children with special educational needs who are not covered by treatment show the need for opening more day care centres. Currently, municipalities exist where the day care centres operate at full capacity and admission of new children is not allowed, but there are children whether in foster families or biological families who need to be accepted in these day care centres.

16-30

Authors: Tanja STANKOVA, Vladimir TRAJKOVSKI

The right to work is one of the fundamental human rights in all developed countries around the world. The employment, actually the right to work of persons with disability is the final phase of the long and complex process of their rehabilitation that affects the possibility of their integration in the community. The main objective of this research is to investigate the possibility of employment of people with autism, based on the attitudes and opinions of employers, employees and parents of the children with autism. The basic tasks of this research are: to determine whether the employers would employ a person with autism; weather employers and the employees know what autism is; weather according to employers and employees people with autism are able to perform their job duties in complete and weather the parents of children with autism would like their child to be employed. We conducted this research in a period of 3 months and included 130 respondents. Obtained data were collected, grouped, tabled and processed with standard statistical program Microsoft Office Excel 2003, applying χ2 tests and Fisher's Exact test. Statistical important difference was at the level of p<0.05. From the analysis and the interpretation of the results, we concluded that in the Republic of Macedonia do not exist positive atmosphere, for employment of the persons with autism, the employers do not want to employ a person with autism. The professionals must engage more deeply in this problematic in order to achieve a complete integration of the people with autism in the society.

43-56

Authors: Jasmina KARIKJ, Vesna S. RADOVANOVIKJ

The goal of the research was to compare the level of mathematic language acquisition between students of lower grades in special elementary schools for children who are hearing impaired and students of a mainstream elementary school. A total of 239 children attending mainstream and special schools in the territory of Serbia were included in the research. Instruction of mathematics in schools for students who are hearing impaired has a different character as it contains elements of native language instruction. Obtained results show a significant difference in some fields. A conclusion stating that the level of language acquisition is in direct correlation with the level of acquisition of mathematics language imposes itself. What that means is that hearing impaired children have not only to comprehend mathematics relations, but also to learn mathematic terms in a completely different way as compared to children who are hearing.

69-70

Authors: Olivera RASHIKJ

A workshop with the designation “Aging of Individuals with Intellectual Disability” in organization by the IASSID and the ESC of the Institute for Special Education and Rehabilitation was held on 15th of March this year, in the meeting hall at the Faculty of Philosophy. The quality in organization of the event and the actuality of the issues considered within the program, were acknowledged by the 108 present participants coming from different profiles. The workshop was opened by Prof. dr. Vladimir Trajkovski from the Institute for Special Education and Rehabilitation, and was saluted by the pro-dean for international cooperation prof. Lena Damovska from the Institute of pedagogy. Presenters of the workshop were eminent professors from the west countries such as prof. Metjy Jenicki from University in Illinois, USA. Prof. Metjy Jenicki gave short review on the aging process of individuals with intellectual disability, pointing the demographic influence on the aging process, the commonly shared universal problems and interests, services, support and meaning of providing adequate assistance for this category of people. Dr Antonija Kopus, from the University of Rotterdam at The Netherlands spoke about the mental health and aging with detailed discussion for the dementia and Alzheimer diseases. Prof. Roj Braun from the University of Victoria, British Columbia in Canada referred to the quality of life in families and aging, in particular talking about contemporary questions concerning care and future planning. Prof. Vladimir Trajkovski PhD who had presentation at the workshop and Dr. Dragan Ilievski, the president of the Association for Alzheimer disease Macedonia, were representatives from the Republic of Macedonia. Prof. Vladimir Trajkovski PhD discussed on the genetic base of the Alzheimer disease, introducing the contemporary discoveries rеguarding the etiology of the disease. Dr Dragan Ilievski discussed the situation and perspectives of individuals suffering from Alzheimer disease in Macedonia. The completion of the workshop was finalized with productive discussion and assignation of certificates to all participants.

73-74

Authors: Olivera RASHIKJ

On the 13th and 14th of May 2010, in Bristol, the United Kingdom, was hosted a congress with theme ”Best Practices in Intellectual Disability Medicine” in organization of the MAMH-European Association of Intellectual Disability Medicine, “indis international” - best practice in intellectual disability medicine and “ALDERN” - Avon Learning Difficulties Education and Research Network. The main concept of the congress was more than 90 guests from more than 20 countries to present the best politics, practices, training, and networking in regards to individuals with intellectual disability in their own countries. The aim was to enable exchange of the experiences, new information, innovations and achievements, as well as improving of the life quality by enabling better approach for health care and prevention for children and adults with intellectual disability. The congress hosted doctors, nurses and other health-medical workers from several countries: Australia, Austria, England, Belgium, Wales, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Canada, Macedonia, Moldavia, Norway, Poland, Netherlands, Hungary, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Scotland, Spain. The single representative from the Republic of Macedonia was Prof. Dr. Vladimir Trajkovski, coming from the Institute for Special Education and Rehabilitation at the Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje. Trough excellent performance which was saluted by all participants, he introduced the topic of ”The health system for individuals with intellectual disability in Macedonia”. Prof. Dr. Vladimir Trajkovski’s participation at the congress presented the significant progress in Macedonia in the scientific area of interest in comparison to the world practice. His participation also enabled the establishment of new contacts and exchange, as well as getting positive experiences from the others countries’ practices.

77-79

Authors: Rozalija DAVKOVSKA

By an invitation of the association “Trisomiy 21”- Zagreb, a group of 17 postgraduate students from the Institute for Special Education, led by the head of the educational Scientific Council Prof. Dr. Vladimir Trajkovski, made a study visit to several institutions in the Republic of Croatia within the period between 06.06.2010 to 09.06.2010.

89-92

Authors: Antonela LJUBIKJ

Antonela Ljubikj, M.D., M.Sc. defended her doctoral thesis on 23 April 2010 at the Institute of Special Education of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Philosophy, University of “Ss Cyril and Methodius”-Skopje, in the presence of commission consisted of: Prof. Dr Vladimir Trajkovski, Ass. Prof. Dr. Daniela Dimitrova-Radojichikj, Prof. Dr. Goran Ajdinski, Ass. Prof. Dr. Natasha Chichevska-Jovanova and Prof. Dr. Kostadin Janev.

25-38

Authors: Valentina DUKOVSKA, Aspazija SOFIJANOVA, Filip DUMA, Zhivko JUZEVSKI

Asphyxia is a risk factor that is very often related to neuro-developmental issues in high risk infants and equally affects preterm and term infants, however its outcome on the developed brain differs from the outcome on the preterm brain. In preterm infants, asphyxia usually exerts a hemorrhagic or ischaemic event and periventricular leukomalacia. In term infants, asphyxia leads to cerebral edema and atrophy of the brain, which may later lead to hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). The number of term infants with HIE who have survived is lower than those of preterm infants, while the percentage of term infants with HIE who have neuro-developmental issues is higher. Preemies face more problems in their motor development as a result of the brain damage, while term infants suffer from encephalopathy and their cognitive abilities are more affected. We have conducted a study about the effects that asphyxia has on the developmental outcomes in high risk infants. In our study, we did a longitudinal developmental follow-up of 30 high risk infants and an evaluation of their developmental outcome using the Griffiths Mental Development Scales, from the 4th month of life until the end of the 36th month. First, we found that high risk infants had a much lower developmental outcome than the control group during the trial. Finally, we found that asphyxia makes a difference in the developmental outcome of preterm infants without asphyxia who have a very low birth weight, the preterm infants with asphyxia, and the term infants with HIE-II.

53-65

Authors: Ana POPOSKA,Silvana FILIPOVA

Sound expression is the first impression of speech and language. Whatever its origin, false pronunciation is the first sign. In the early school years of developmental speech – if a language disorder appears, it is often followed by the disruption of the phonological – articulation segment. This research aims to establish and compare frequency, type, and every articulate and acoustic characteristics of the disordered sound in both children with Dyslalia, as well as those with SLI. This micro investigation was done using 71 examinees ages 6 to 8. Thirty-five examinees were with Dyslalia and 36 had SLI. Their achievements are underlined using comparative analysis, tested with two relevant tests. Some of the more important conclusions are: Children with Dyslalia mostly showed distorted sounds, while those with SLI mostly substituted the disordered sound. In Dyslalia, fricatives were most affected, but in the case of SLI, all sound groups were disordered usually. In both tested groups, the type of disorder was due to the misplacement of sound formation. All children having articulation disorders while also having sound discrimination have not only phonetic contrasts, but were also being influenced by the rest of the linguistic aspects.

87-102

Authors: Amelia FARNESE, Viviana LANGHER

Beginning with the careful historical examination of the de-institutionalization of psychiatric hospitals in Europe, this work focuses its attention on the Italian territory and Law 180 of 1978 on psychiatric reform, which has led to the closure of mental institutions and the creation of replacement institutions such as the Mental Health Departments that are present throughout the Italian territory for every certain number of inhabitants. Mental Health Departments have the goal of caring for psychiatric patients within their context of life. Therapy is not organized anymore as a “solution-cure,” but rather as a complex entity – while also daily and elementary – of indirect and multidisciplinary strategies geared toward socially rehabilitating the patient affected by psychic disturbances. In this regard, out-patient institutional structures, semi-residential structures, and residential structures with the objecttives of being responsible for the patient during his or her psychological and pharmacological therapies, insertion in a protected work field, and in helping the patients’ families. In particular, this article will describe the out-patient activities and semi-residential activities put into action by a mental health department in an Italian city with the population of over a million people. In some cases, alternative hypotheses for intervention will be proposed in lieu of those already existent.

114-129

Authors: Matthew P. JANICKI

With improved general health status many adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) are living to old age, much like other adults. The World Health Organization has recognized the needs of this older population and identified the challenges they pose for governmental ministries and non-governmental organizations charged with planning, advocacy, financing, and delivery of specialty lifecare services and rehabilitation programs. These challenges include a range of issues normally confronting older adults, such as pensioning and financial security, changes in lifestyles associated with retirement and adaptations to living arrangements and housing, modifications in daily activities and community inclusion, changing physical and sensory abilities, and greater demands for support for aging families and other carers. As older adults with ID may also be affected by latelife or age-related conditions and begin to experience secondary impairments, these challenges may be more pronounced when encountered by NGOs located in countries with developing market economies. In these instances, the onus on promoting healthy aging will fall upon national entities which are responsible for targeting people with disabilities from infancy and childhood, and providing lifelong supports for adolescents, adults, and families. Ideally, if such efforts are undertaken early, they will lead to actions that can be undertaken to promote better health as people with ID age and ensure that the latter part of their lives are experienced as ‘quality of life years.’

133

Authors: Olivera RASHIKJ

On December 3, 2009, the Faculty of Philosophy from the University of St. Cyril and Methodius for the Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation held the annual ceremony for the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities.” The ceremony was opened by the Dean of Faculty of Philosophy, Dr. Goran Ajdinski, PhD. Representatives from high national institutions were in attendance. Guests were honored with speeches from the President of the Macedonian Parliament Mr. Trajko Slavevski, the Minister for Labor and Social Politics Mr. Dzheljalj Bajrami, and the rector of the University of St. Cyril and Methodius Dr. Velimir Stojkovski, PhD. Among those in attendance were the Vice-Dean’s Assistant, Professor Nikola Zhezhov, Assistant Professor Toni Milevski, professors from all institutes of the faculty, students and representatives from different institutions for people with disabilities in the Republic of Macedonia, and finally, people with disabilities. The ceremony was enriched with the presentation of the 2004-2008 “Best Student Award,” presented to student Blagica Stanoevska, along with the student performance put on by the special primary school “Maca Ovcharova” from Veles. Lastly, the third of December was designated as the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” by the Associations of the Disabled Persons of the Republic of Macedonia from the humanitarian organization “Dare Dzhambaz” and by the Republic Center for Supporting Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (MESSAGE-PORAKA).

137-139

Authors: Nergis RAMO AKGJUN

Nergis Ramo defended her master’s thesis on November 23, 2009 at the Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation for the Faculty of Philosophy at The University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje. Those present on the commission were Prof. Risto Petrov, PhD; Prof. Zora Jachova, PhD; and Prof. Goran Ajdinski, Phd.

143-145

Authors: Aleksandra KAROVSKA

The book “Educational Work In Boarding Schools” acts as a university teaching aid for students at the Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation according to its form and manner of processing. The authors of this book, Professor Risto Petrov PhD, M.A. Laura P. Gjurchinovska, assistant Natasha Stanojkovska Trajkovska, and M.A. Nergis Ramo, are prominent experts in the field of Special Education and Rehabilitation. In the frame of their academic carrier, the authors have paid special attention to the area of educational work in boarding schools. The book is a treasure trove of information related to this area and is appropriately designed to satisfy the needs of every reader with an affinity for this subject. Professor Risto Petrov implements his long-term practical experience in the area of boarding school educational work with the special institution “Demir Kapija” in this book, as well as his theoretical experience as a professor at the Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation. From its founding, Professor Petrov has worked at the Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation on the subject of boarding school educational work for persons with disabilities. This book increases the quantum of knowledge in the area of special needs, a young science with large room for scientific action and information gathering. This book is a rerelease, the first being issued in 2002, and represents basic literature for students studying this subject.