The Association for Stimulating the Healthy Development of Children and Youth (Slavonski Brod, Croatia) was founded in the year 2000,with the aim to enable the necessary aid and support to disabled children through various forms of treatment since the number of newborn neuro-risky children is growing daily,and the needs of the growing number of children with developmental difficulties cannot be met through outpatient treatment in hospitals.
The members of the expert team in the locan general hospital ( a pediatrician,a special teacher,nurses and physical therapist) who work with children with developmental difficulties,have decided to volunteer in the association in order to help the greater number of children and their parents.
During a neonatal examination,a phisical therapy or a treatment with a special teacher in hospital, parents are offered additional treatments in the Association free of charge.
At the moment there are about 90 children with various impairments included in the treatment,aged newborn babies to 27, and about 180 parents.The children participate in various forms of work and treatment,regarding their ages and psycho-physical abilities.
There is a kindergarten group of children ages 2 to 6,whi are included in a play therapy in small groups,since there are many hyperactive children;each child is treated individually-there are 5 therapists to a group of 5to 7 children.
Another form of work is helping school age children with learning difficulties.They are either included in regular public schools,but with adapted syllabus,or in special schools.
The children also show a great interest in the internet and creative workshops,where they aretaught to use computers and develop their sense of beauty.In such ways their emotional satisfaction and peace are created,as well as a positive attitude towards themselves and their peers.
The children also take part in performancies (at Christmas.Easter,carnival.etc.).Lectures are also given to parents,experts in the Association,as well as to broader community-lecturers are experts of various professions (doctors,special teachers,pedagogues,psychologist,etc.) from well-known institutions in Croatia.
The Association is a member of the Croatian co-ordination of the Childrens' the Croatian League of the Associations of Physically Disabled People and the world-wide organisation Inclusion International.
We have received many awards for our work by the local community,the Childrens' Rights from Geneva,The Shaklee Institute from Wichita (USA)-being the only European association of this type.
We are financed by more than modest donations and support by the respective ministries in Croatia,uponapproval of our programs.The financial support is often inadequate,but we are motivated by love and desire to help the children with developmental difficulties,as well,as their parents in order to make their problems and needs understood.
Ms. Željka Vu?ini?,BA special teacher,president of association
Mr.Tomislav Goll,professionally secretary of association