INNOVATIVE ACADEMIC COURSE ON INTEGRATIVE INTERVENTIONS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (IACIIC-ASD)

OBJECTIVES

The project objectives are:
-To develop an innovative academic course on ASD, based on the integrative view of case management
-To create a European Virtual University Clinic for ASD (EVUCASD) which will host the Open Educational Resources developed in the project (including a MOOC on ASD)
-To share the curriculum model developed in the project, tools and materials with other universities, private education/training providers, stakeholders, practitioners, to improve the educational offer at National and European levels.

THE PROMOTOR of the project

Universitatea de Vest din Timișoara (UVT) / West University of Timişoara (WUT) is the main higher education institution and research pole in Western Romania. Its community comprises roughly 16000 students and over 700 academic staff. It is a comprehensive university in character and includes 11 faculties with their respective departments, as well as a Department of Teacher Training. The faculties functioning within the framework of UVT offer nationally accredited study programmes at Bachelor, Master and PhD level in the following subject areas: Arts and Design; Chemistry, Biology, Geography; Economics and Business Administration; Law; Letters, History and Theology; Mathematics and Computer Science; Music and Theatre; Physical Education and Sports; Physics; Political Sciences, Philosophy and Communication Sciences; Sociology and Psychology. The university’s strong focus on quality within an increasingly international and globalized academic world is endorsed by UVT’s affiliation to various regional, European and international higher education associations, as well as its’ position in rakings worldwide (for example, QS World University Rankings Top 701+ and QS Rankings by Subject Top 150 in the field of Modern Languages, in 2015). West University of Timisoara offers students the opportunity to combine theoretical and practical knowledge, in a multi- and inter-disciplinary environment, preparing them to enter a globalized labor market. With more than 5% of the student body being international, the university is intensively involved in processes of internationalization with our faculties offering study programmes in foreign languages (English, German, or French) at Bachelor, Master and Doctoral level.

The university’s strong focus on quality within an increasingly international and globalized academic world is endorsed by UVT’s affiliation to the European Association of Universities (EUA) and the International Association of Universities (IAU), as well as many other international bodies and associations (Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, European Association for International Education, European Association of Erasmus Coordinators, etc). On a yearly basis, West University of Timisoara implements over 100 research projects, out of which around 25% have an international dimension.

West University of Timisoara is, thus, a comprehensive university fostering a multi- and inter-disciplinary approach to higher education and research, with a clear focus towards the internationalization. The university has over 350 bilateral agreements fostering exchanges in the Erasmus+ and EEA Grants programme and over 100 other bilateral agreements with higher education institutions worldwide. In 2015-2016, West University of Timisoara has over 270 outgoing students (studies and placement) pursuing a mobility abroad, as well as over 120 incoming mobility students. Also, 570 international students pursue a full degree programme (Bachelor, Masters and Phd). West University of Timisoara also hosts 15 study programmes taught in a foreign language (English, French and German) with around 15 full-time foreign lecturers and over 40 incoming short term teaching mobilities, yearly. With an estimated increase of 30% in international students numbers for the next academic year, our university is committed to supporting the personal and profesional development of students in an increasingly internationalized academic world. Highly focused on the internationalization of curricula, West University of Timisoara is more and more oriented towards opportunities for graduates’ absorbtion within an increasingly globalized labour market.

The university is part of a very multicultural and dynamic city that offers various options for work and leisure. Timisoara is not only a cosmopolitan city highly connected to the rest of Europe, but also the city with the highest internet speed in the world. Studying here, however, can benefit our students in other ways, too. For example, by opening up other possibilities for international study and travel. More than 400 bilateral agreements with partners worldwide offer our students the paid opportunity to study or work abroad as part of their curricula. Moreover, the university benefits from a modern and fully-equipped library, as well as language and culture centres (Chinese, Portuguese, French, German, Austrian, Italian, Spanish, etc). Last, but not least, the student campus is located in the heart of the city and is in itself an attraction, with various opportunities for leisure and living.

PARTNER 1

THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORENCE is one of the biggest organizations for research and higher education in Italy, with 1,800 teachers and researchers structured, about 1,600 technical and administrative, and more than 1,600 graduate students and fellows. Its ancient origins date back to the Studium Generale that the Florentine republic wanted to give birth in 1321. The subjects were then taught the law, civil and canon, letters and medicine. As teachers were called many famous names: Giovanni Boccaccio was commissioned to give lectures on the Divine Comedy. Only in 1924, however, a special decree gave the name of the University to the Institute. At present the University runs 129 degree courses (first and second level) organized in 10 schools, with a total population of about 51,000 students, a quarter of which comes from outside the region. The University of Florence is a great University, with a wide teaching offer, extending in all subject areas. Over 9,000 students graduate every year in Florence. According to data “Almalaurea”, the percentage of graduates working in Florence, three years after graduation, is higher than the national average. The University of Florence is one of the largest systems of the Italian public research, in relation to the number and diversity of its scientific-disciplines. Junior and senior researchers intensively participate in relevant national and international calls, the scientific results and cash flow risk that external supports research and its transfer. This combination of factors, which qualifies the University of Florence as a modern "Research University", is what determines the optimal positions of the University of Florence in the national and international assessment systems. Researchers at the University of Florence belong to 24 departments and use about 40 research facilities in interdepartmental and inter-university centres, as well as research centres, transfer and high education. In recent years the University of Florence has enhanced transfer activities: from the filing of patents, through the establishment of joint laboratories with companies, to the participation in spin-off companies. The transfer activity is coordinated by the Centre for University Services for the Enhancement of Research and Management University Incubator (CsaVRI). The University of Florence traditionally pays special attention to the development of partnerships with foreign universities and to the process of internationalization, which has become a strategic and dominant academic life in research, teaching, the organization of studies, in mobility of teachers, researchers and students. Currently 270 collaboration agreements are active, with many universities in about 70 countries. In 1999 the University of Florence was recognized "Jean Monnet European Centre of Excellence" in order to coordinate, in collaboration with other universities, all activities concerning European integration and to disseminate information on such activities, so as to promote the development and increase its effectiveness. From time also were initiated courses of study leading to joint degrees with other Universities.

The University of Florence participates with great commitment to any initiative to create the so-called European Research Area, including the Framework Programmes for research and development. Here the University is particularly active, as evidenced by the significant increasing of external funding obtained over time.  The University of Florence has great research skills in the field of pedagogy, particularly in higher education and special education.

PARTNER 2

„LUCIAN BLAGA UNIVERSITY” (ULBS) is one of the top comprehensive universities in Romania. Located in Sibiu, a former European Capital of Culture, ULBS assumed the role of a key actor in scientific, cultural and educational life in the region. The key objective of the university in Sibiu is to carry out a competitive educational process, meeting the standards of the EU, which grants ULBS graduates international academic and professional recognition. The university promotes unique programs in the Romanian academic environment, and the high trust degree recommends the ULBS as being a powerful institution, committed to improving the quality of the educational process. Promoting study programs in international languages, ICT - based teaching methods and implementing the ECTS ensure the strengthening of the educational process. Research is one of the most important aspects of the academic life at ULBS. Acknowledged research centres function at ULBS, and academic activities in the field of innovation have been highly credited at international invention exhibitions. The university has approximately 15000 students enrolled in 142 programs. The teaching and research activities are carried out by 650 staff members. University has 24 research centres. The ULBS is hosting 30 academic journals. A key aspect of the university is its focus on internationalisation. With more than 200 foreign students and 78 foreign teaching staff and 250 ERASMUS agreements and partnership with 87 universities from 38 countries across the world, ULBS is one of the most dynamic universities in Romania.

The 9 faculties cover a wide range of subject, from engineering to social science and from medicine to agricultural studies. The faculty for social sciences and humanities provides training and research in teacher training and in psychology, including clinical psychology. Due to the great diversity of the university, all research projects have a strong interdisciplinary approach based on the collaboration between staff members from different areas.

PARTNER 3

FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND REHABILITATON SCIENCES is one of 34 units/ Faculties of University of Zagreb. It is a non-profit institution of  higher education with approximately 900 students enrolled in one of the three undergraduate or three graduate programmes, one postgraduate specialist programme and one postgraduate doctoral programme. At the moment, there are 92 employees, 75 permanent and 17 temporary; 64 teaching staff and 28 non-teaching.

Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb is the only higher education institution in the Republic of Croatia that creates and offers well established university-level programmes in speech-language pathology, educational rehabilitation and social pedagogy in addition to developing and advancing high-quality research as well as clinical best practices in these areas.

The core activities of the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences are scientific and educational, including scientific-research and professional training, defined in line with the obligation of organizing and implementing the university studies - undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate doctor's degree and specialized studies, as well as  scientific-research; organization and implementation of the lifelong learning programme; organization and management of scientific and professional conferences and symposiums, professional counselling and other types of events; publishing activities; development of expert studies, expert opinions, professional programmes, to provide research and development services in the institutions and commercial businesses; implementation of the programme of prevention, diagnosis and rehabilitation or treatment of the persons experiencing social integration difficulties and language- speech communication difficulties.

  THE MAIN RESULTS of the project will consist from:

1. The intellectual outputs – the course concept, the course materials (teacher's and student`s manual), the academic book, the online platform EVUCASD with the embedded MOOC- all described and detailed in their corresponding section.
2. The output resulted from the learning activities – 160 students trained and certified with ECTSs in the new developed academic course “Integrative Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders”, described and detailed in the corresponding section
3. An improve quantity and quality of higher education programs in the field of ASD in the partner's countries. The new developed course will be integrated in the curriculum of the partner universities, contributing to a higher level of novelty and internationalization of the study programs.
4. More skilled and competent students, with new developed competences as they are described in occupational standards (including ICT competences).
5. Better English language and IT skills for the students, that will be developed in the participation on the EVUCASD, using an on/line platform and communicating with other European students.
6. A European virtual network of specialists in ASD (psychologists, psycho-pedagogues, teachers, including parents who will become specialists in educating their child) who can interact and learn from and with each other in the EVUCASD.
7. An improved awareness in the field of ASD. The MOOC on ASD, will be available on EVUCASD for all interested parties, including the general public, so anyone that wishes can take the MOOC. Through the dissemination activities all stakeholders interested in the life of the children with ASD and also the general public will become aware of the possible intervention for children with ASD. Announcements will be posted in social media pages, press communicates released and flyers distributed.

 

PROJECT TEAM

WEST UNIVERSITY OF TIMISOARA is developing researches and projects with relevant and important impact on scientific knowledge, development, innovation, and technologic transfer. Our university is involved in developing educational policies that promote equality and excellence in education, and promote and facilitate the educational and social inclusion of people with diverse socio-cultural background, and with risk factors for development and health and well-being (poverty, disabilities, discriminated due to ethnicity - Rroma, etc.).

All the staff members involved in the project are experienced academics from the Department of Educational Sciences, Special Education specialization.

LOREDANA AL GHAZI (PhD.) Is the project manager, Senior Lecturer. She is a licensed Senior Psychologist (member of the CPR), trained in Existential Psychotherapy and Logotherapy. She is the director and co-founder of the University Clinic for Therapies and Psycho-pedagogic Counselling (UCTPC). She has managerial responsibilities in coordinating a diverse academic team (with members of different specialization) and different activities (training, research, student supervising). She works with children and adults with disabilities, and has expertise in counselling children with disabilities and their parents. She has a teaching career of over 15 years in relevant disciplines, at undergraduate and postgraduate levels (Counselling and psychotherapy, Developmental Psychology, Child Psychopathology, etc.). She has scientific interests and preoccupations in the area of studying and working with children with disabilities, and have numerous publications on relevant topics. She is director of a postgraduate program on Existential Psychotherapies. Also, she collaborates with many NGOs in the Special Needs/Education field.

MIHAI PREDESCU (PhD.) is Associate Professor and a member of the Special Education team and also the director of the WUT Centre of Psycho-Pedagogical Assistance and Integration (CAIP)  . He is Senior Psychologist and supervisor in Special Education and is specialized in policy making for students with disabilities. He participated in several European projects and published several studies in disabilities studies and students with disabilities.. His scientific activity and research preoccupation are focused on disability studies, disability policy making and disability advocacy.

IOANA DARJAN (PhD) is Lecturer and Senior Psychologist trained in cognitive-behavioural therapy, and Senior LSCI Trainer, by the LSCI Institute (Life Space Crises Intervention – www.lsci.org). She has experience in working with children and youth at risk, especially children and youth with disabilities, emotional and behavioural disorders, language disorders, and their families. She is co-founder and director of the Training Department of The UTCPC. and WUT`s CAIP. She is director of two postgraduate programs on positive education. Her scientific activity and research preoccupation are focused on emotional and behavioural disorders in children and adolescents, behavioural management, cognitive and behavioural therapy, speech and language normal and pathological development, speech and language therapy. She made researches and wrote books and articles on these topics.

CLAUDIA BORCA (PhD.) is Lecturer and Psychologist and supervisor in Special Education. She has experience in working with children with disabilities, especially children with ASD and visual impairment. She is co-founder the UTCPC and CAIP. Her scientific activity and research preoccupation are focused on developmental disorders and visual impairment. She has a teaching and training career of over 15 years in relevant disciplines, at undergraduate level (developmental disabilities and visual disability, practice in the field of Special Education). She made researches and wrote books and articles on these topics. She was involved in national and European projects from as coordinator and as researcher. She is specialized in ASD, trained in "Cognitive-behavioral techniques and Applied Behavioral Analysis -ABA for ASD".

ANCA LUSTREA (PhD.) is Lecturer and Senior Psychologist and supervisor in Special Education. She has experience in working with children with disabilities, especially children with hearing impairment, in case management, education in inclusive settings and assessment in Special education. She is co-foundering the UTCPC and CAIP. Her scientific activity and research preoccupation are focused on education in inclusive settings, case management in Special Education and hearing impairment. She has a teaching and training career of over 15 years in relevant disciplines, at undergraduate and postgraduate levels (hearing impairment, inclusive education, case management in Special Education). She made researches and wrote books and articles on these topics. She works with children with hearing impairment and teachers from inclusive schools.  

  THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORENCE

TAMARA ZAPPATERRA (Ph.D.) is Associate Professor of “Teaching and Special Education” at Department of Educational and Psychological Studies of University of Florence, where she is Dean's Delegate for students with disabilities, President of Master Degree Course “School leadership and Clinical Pedagogy” and Member of the Doctorate Board in “Quality of Education”. She is Member of Centre for Study and Research for Disability Issues (CESPD) of University of Florence.

From 2003 she is teaching “Special education” in Master Degree Course for Primary Teachers, in Master Degree Course “School leadership and Clinical Pedagogy” and in Postgraduate Course of Specialization for special-needs teachers, University of Florence. .

Her scientific activity is directed in disabilities educational studies: evolution of handicap conceptualisation, Disability Culture, School inclusion of pupils with disabilities in mainstream classroom, Learning Disorders, Support Teacher Training, Inclusive Teacher Training. Play and disability. Since 2014 and currently she coordinates at University of Florence the Graduate Course promoted by the Ministry of Education "Teaching and psychoeducational methodologies for pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder" addressed to in-service teachers and educators. Since 2016 and currently she is member of the Scientific Committee for the methodological-educational research and innovation in the field of inclusion in the school of FIA - Italian Foundation for Autism, non-profit organization, a foundation sponsored by the Ministry of Education; Board Member of Italian Society of Special Education (SIPES).

She is Scientific Committee Member of Representative Board (on behalf of Italy) of European Agency for Development in Special needs Education (UE), (Decree of the Minister of Education n.18, 13/11/2012); member of the Scientific Committee of Minister of Education about Master Degree Courses on Teaching and Education in disability and special needs field (2011). She wrote, as a Member of Scientific Commitee of Minister of Education, the Decree n. 5669 (12.07. 2011, Minister of Education), implementing the Law 170/2010 about Learning Disabilities at school.Since 2015 and currently, as a Principal Investigator of educational area (of CESPD Unifi), has an interdisciplinary project for innovation of university teaching, aimed at finding methods and technological tools for students with Dyslexia. Since 2015 and currently she takes part in the European Project (Cost Action www.cost.eu/TD1309) “Play for Children with Disabilities (LUDI)”. In 2010-2013 she took part in the Research Project "Ambient and training environments. The school inclusion of students with disabilities" (in partnership with the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Florence and the CESPD - Centre for Study and Research for Disability Issues, University of Florence – Regione Toscana): role in the project: Principal Investigator of Educational Area. In 2013 she did a Research Stage about Learning Disabilities and Teaching in Special Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, Boston (USA).In 2011 she did a Research Stage about Training of Teachers in Special Education, CEFES (Centre d'Etude et de formation pour l'education spécialisée), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles (Belgium). In 2010-2012 she took part in the Research Project of Minister of Education "From the ICF model design for inclusion”, with the research group of Special Education at the University of Florence.  

TOMMASO FRATINI, is currently an adjunct professor of Special Education at the University of Florence. He has a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Bologna. From 2011 to 2013 he had a research grant for Special Education at the University of Florence. His research focuses on social inclusion and affective processes in different types of disabilities, with a particular emphasis on Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Among his publications: Conoscere l’autismo: teorie, casi clinici, storie di vita (2016); Esclusione, emarginazione, integrazione sociale: nuove prospettive pedagogiche (2012).  

SAVERIO FONTANI is Ph.D. candidate and teacher at the University of Florence. Thesis: Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems for the educational intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders. A training Study. His interests of research focus on the Special Education for the Autism Spectrum Disorders, for the Genetics Syndromes. Recent publications: La Sindrome di Williams. Dalla ricerca all'intervento psicoeducativo (2012); I Disturbi dello Spettro Autistico. Percorsi per la didattica inclusiva (2014); Comunicazione Aumentativa Alternativa e Disabilità. Proposte differenziate per interventi educativi, scolastici e abilitativi inclusivi (2016).  

The „LUCIAN BLAGA UNIVERSITY” (ULBS) has experience both in the development of educational material (curriculum, specific adaptations for children with disabilities, guides and manuals for teacher, developing course materials for students) and in the assessment and treatment of children with disabilities. The Faculty of the Social Sciences and Humanities is organizing the master degree in Clinic Psychology, Psychological Counselling and Psychotherapy.

  DANIEL MARA

Professor at Teacher Training Department at University „Lucian Blaga”of Sibiu, Romania. Teach the following issues: Psychology of Education and Pedagogy. With a Ph.D in Inclusive education in 2004, after an Master degree on the same domain in Italy at Bologna University. Author of more than 100 articles in inclusive education, cognitive and metacognitive development. Trainer in some European projects with courses of psychology, member in Leonardo projects and European research projects with many universities. Communicative skills, cooperation, teamwork. During the fifteen years of scientific and professional activity in the academic environment participated in various activities, made presentations, cooperated and worked in teams with several individuals in the country and abroad (professors and students in Italy, Spain, Germany, The United States). Coordinator: Socrates-Erasmus Bilateral Grant-Universita degli studi di Bologna; Italy; Universita degli studi di Sassari-Italy; Universita degli studi di Bergamo-Italia Universidad de Leon-Spania; Universitat de Illes Balears-Spain; Pädagogische Hochschule Tirol Innsbruck-Austria.

  ELENA – LUCIA MARA

Professor at Teacher Training Department at University „Lucian Blaga”of Sibiu, Romania. Teach the following issues: Didactics of Romanian language in preuniversitary school, Pedagogical Practice, Romanian Literature and Literature for children. With more then 7 years experience in preuniversitary school as Romanian language teacher in gymnasium and high school. With a Ph.D in Philology Sciences. Author of more then 50 articles about literature, children literature and didactic issues in national and international journals and conferences, and books in speciality. Trainer in some European projects with courses of communication and personal development skills, member in Leonardo projects and European research projects with many universities from Italy, Spain, Germany, United Kingdom and  United States.  

FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND REHABILITATON SCIENCES OF UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB

JASMINA STOŠIĆ, PhD is Assistant Professor, Department of Inclusive Education and Rehabilitation, with specific interest in:  Special features of development of children with disorders of the autistic spectrum; Strategies and programmes for teaching persons with disorders of the autistic spectrum; Integration of persons with disorders of the autistic spectrum.

She is the supervisor of the programme for a group of children with disorders of the autistic spectrum in Kindergarten Bajka.

Within the Cabinet for Disorders of the Autistic Spectrum of the Rehabilitation Centre, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Science, she conducts diagnostic procedures and evaluation; counseling and education of parents of children with disorders of the autistic spectrum and individualized programmes for children with disorders of the autistic spectrum.

She was expert in the projects:
"Evaluation of Specific Programmes in the Work with Children and Adolescents with Autism"
"Early Detection of Autism - PDD and Evaluation of Early Intervention Programmes"
She is un author of 4 book chapters, 7 scientific papers in other journals,  1 scientific conference papers with international peer-review and 10 abstracts in Book of abstracts.

  ANA WAGNER-JAKAB, PhD is Assistant Professor and Head of Department of Inclusive Education and Rehabilitation, with the main scientific interests in Educational and social inclusion of persons with difficulties; Support to the family, brothers and sisters of persons with difficulties; Scientific and teaching interests are focused on learning difficulties and multiple difficulties.

She was expert in the projects:
"Development towards the Inclusive School: Practices-Research-Capacity Building", Universities of Belgrade, Ljubljana, Sarajevo, Skopje, Tuzla, Zagreb, and Oslo (2006-2009);
"Children with Special Needs in the System Family-School-Peers", University of Zagreb, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences (2003-2006);
"Intervention Programmes and Some Environmental Factors in Educational Inclusion", University of Zagreb, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences (2006-2010)
She is an active member of the Association CIP-IDEM contributing as the leader and supervisor of the work with brothers and sisters of children with difficulties. Within the Centre of the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, she had been engaged in Montessori therapy for children with difficulties. Currently completing education in Gestalt Psychotherapy