World Autism Awareness Day Marked in Novo Sarajevo Municipality

(Patria) - Children and employees of the "More nade" Preschool Department of the "Vladimir Nazor" Center, students of the Faculty of Pedagogy in Sarajevo – Department of Education and Rehabilitation, and parents marked World Autism Awareness Day with a walk through the Municipality of Novo Sarajevo.

More than 50 children, accompanied by their parents and teaching staff, visited the Municipality of Novo Sarajevo, where they were welcomed by the Mayor of the Municipality, Hasan Tanović, and his associates. On this occasion, the children presented the Mayor with a painting they had created themselves with their therapists, as a sign of appreciation and gratitude for the support and care that this local community provides to children with developmental disabilities.

In her address, the director of the "Vladimir Nazor" Center, Maida Idrizović, emphasized that this type of active inclusion of children into society, tailored to their abilities, is crucial, and that children should be active participants in the community they live in, which this event exemplifies.

The General Assembly designated April 2nd as Autism Awareness Day. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a triad of symptoms: lack of social interaction, communication, and imagination. Autism symptoms are noticeable before the age of three and are present throughout life. Every case of autism is unique and varies from severe forms of the disorder to high-functioning autism.

Amra Saletović, one of the specialists at the "Vladimir Nazor" Center, points out that autism spectrum disorders require a team approach.

- Our Center has a team of specialists: a special education teacher/rehabilitator, a speech therapist, a psychologist, a physiotherapist, a preschool education professor, an assistant, a social worker, a pedagogue, and pediatric nurses, each contributing from their perspective to achieving the set goals through an Individual Plan and Program. Today, there is much talk about inclusion. It is important to emphasize that it begins at the earliest age. Through our work, we strive to actively include children in the community, bring them closer to everyday life activities, and make them minimally dependent on others, Saletović stated.

The Municipality of Novo Sarajevo, as a socially responsible local community, provides full support to children with developmental disabilities through numerous projects, stated the Mayor, Dr. Hasan Tanović.

- Every year, we allocate significant funds to improve the work of the "Vladimir Nazor" Center, from the procurement of didactic materials, equipping cabinets, and the kitchen, to insulating the building, and opening the first assistive technology cabinet in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the School for Secondary Vocational Education and Work Training, which will also be used by children from the "Vladimir Nazor" Center, said Mayor Tanović.

By jointly marking this significant date, it has been shown that through teamwork, we must continue to recognize the potential of children on the autism spectrum and work from each perspective to improve the quality of life for individuals with autism.