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Abstract Assessment of Intellectual Functioning among Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Challenges and Implications Beyond the Clinical Practice (2)
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Abstract: Early and precise identification of neurodevelopmental disorders together with provision of adequate and timely interventions remain increasingly important tasks for multidisciplinary clinical teams. А central component in this process of comprehensive clinical evaluation is the assessment of children’s intellectual functioning. Intelligence test results represent a central component in the decision making process of determining a child’s future in terms of: qualification for special education, access to social welfare support, placement in therapeutic programs, etc. Clinical results yielded through the application of standardized intelligence assessment instruments (WISC, K-ABC, RPM), and especially the overall quantitative measure of cognitive ability (IQ) have become a central, and sometimes the only measure taken into consideration when determining a child’s level of functioning. Together with some distinct benefits, this practice places many children at risk of being underestimated and calls for revision and modification of standard assessment procedures. In line with these considerations, authors raise for discussion traditional approaches to diagnostics of intellectual functioning, highlighting some challenges, emerging from the constitutive particularities in the cognitive functioning of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. An attempt for identifying areas for further improvement alongside with research-informed recommendations for a contemporary, individualized and sensitive to the specifications of children with neurodevelopmental disorders assessment practice are outlined at the end of this paper. According to the authors’ opinion, exploration of the topic provides an important opportunity to advance the understanding of clinicians, primary healthcare professionals, educators and other professionals involved in supporting children with developmental deficits.
Keywords: Neurodevelopmental disorders, cognitive functioning, intelligence testing, Wechsler intelligence scales for children (WISC), profile analysis.
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Abstract Child Welfare Reform in Bulgaria – from Institutional to Family-Based Community Care: Engaging with Families, Children and Colleagues?
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Abstract: The authors present the child welfare policy reform and the process of deinstitutionalization of children’s services in Bulgaria. These developments are examined in the context of the country’s transition from a post-totalitarian to a liberal democratic state and from collectivistic to individual-centred practices. Therefore, the implementation of social policy promoting and regulating individualised community-based services faces challenges related to attitudes that support group-oriented and institutional-based care. There are three key contextual barriers to the provision of quality services for children with disability: engaging with the individual client, involving parents, and working in multidisciplinary teams. Clinical social work vignettes are presented to illustrate the above challenges. Keywords: Child welfare reform, deinstitutionalization, social policy, multidisciplinary teamwork, parenting, socialism, attitudes towards the state. |
Abstract Early Assessment of Mental Development in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other Neurodevelopmental Disorders – Sharing of Clinical Experience
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Abstract: The authors present a synthesised review of the methods for assessing mental development and autism, with an emphasis on the general tendency to reduce the age of diagnosis. Based on clinical experience, a number of particularities are described in terms of: testing, working with parents, observing and reflecting on the nature and meaning of autistic behaviours. On focus is a toolkit for detailed assessment of mental development that was elaborated within the inter-university cooperation between Sofia Medical University and Université catholique de Louvain (UCL) - Belgium. Illustrated and discussed are typical profiles of cognitive and socio-communicative functioning of children with ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders, which help a differential diagnosis to be made by the multidisciplinary clinical team. Further described are the advantages of early assessment of mental development as a basis for future educational and therapeutic programs. Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs), early assessment of child development, mental developmental profiles. |
Abstract Assessment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Post-Assessment Meeting with Parents: Some Issues of Planning and Professional Attitude
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Abstract: The authors, child psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, conducting team assessment of children with developmental disabilities (including autism spectrum disorder) for more than two decades, present some important in their view issues and recommendations concerning planning and proceeding of assessment and post-assessment meetings with parents. It is essential to ensure not only an accurate assessment protocol and diagnosis, but also to “attune” to parents in order to facilitate their understanding and more positive use of assessment outcome results. Parents need further support to “survive” psychically the post - assessment period and to provide for adequate interventions for their child. Keywords: ASD, children, parents, assessment, post-assessment meeting, assessment team. |
