The project was aimed at development of an inclusive kindergarten environment, with new knowledge and experience to supplement the treatment of children with AD and children with special needs (hereinafter SN children), increase the quality of life of families of children with AD and SN, and reduce school dropout , which is significantly high in the education system for children with AD due to their deficits in social communication and interaction and behavior. The following goals have been achieved in the project: • New knowledge was gained in the field of autism and other disorders. Various trainings, formal and informal gatherings and analysis of theoretical sources contributed to the development of competencies of all professionals employed at the kindergarten. • We learned about foreign good practices in the field of working with children with special needs (hereinafter children with SN) or children with AD. Through information acquired from the mobility of professionals, we gained insight into education systems and practice of working with children with SN or children with AD in EU countries. Proven elements of good practice abroad were transferred to the kindergarten program, to the SDHA department as well as to regular departments. Through the exchange of good practices and the exchange of knowledge, professional staff of the kindergarten upgraded the inclusive practice of work in all departments of the institution. • The already established programs for children with AD and children with SN have been upgraded. Innovative approaches were developed in terms of intertwining models of joining special SDHA practices with the of regular preschool curriculum. Trainings, analysis of good practices, reading professional sources and, above all, acquired mobility experience, was the basis for the development, testing and introduction of innovative approaches to inclusive kindergarten practice. • The future development plan of the kindergarten has been supplemented with guidelines for quality early treatment of children with AD and the content of the specialized program for children with AD has been upgraded. In this way, we have systematically changed the existing educational practice of dealing with children affected by highly functional autism. • Numerous trainings for the professional and lay public have been carried out. During the project, good practice of inclusive approaches in kindergarten was developed both in the SDHA department and in the regular departments of the kindergarten. Good practices have been presented on the level of the City of Ljubljana and the Republic of Slovenia, through talk shows, round tables, conferences and symposia (international level).
Appropriate early treatment of symptoms and quality pre-school education are among the development priorities of European policy (Recommendations of the Council of the European Union, 2019). Autism is known as one of the most prevalent disorders in the modern world. Worldwide, 1 in 160 children is diagnosed with autistic disorder, and the number is rising dramatically (WHO data, 2016). Data for Slovenia provided by the National Institute of Public Health show that in 2019, autism was suspected in every 39th child born. Due to the growing incidence of autistic disorder, four years ago, in accordance with the modern expertise, the City Municipality of Ljubljana opened a specialized department for children with highly functional autism (hereinafter SDHA) in the Pedenjped kindergarten. At the time of the opening of the department, there was a need to supplement educational programs for autistic children. By implementing the project contents, we wanted to provide children with autistic disorder (hereinafter AD) and children with PP (hereinafter SN children) with quality early treatment and an appropriate inclusive environment. At our institution, we are aware of the importance of innovation and development of our own practice. SDHA professionals, in collaboration with other members of the department staff, are developing new forms of transition between kindergarten programs. The Erasmus + project is a great opportunity to gain new knowledge and learn about innovative and effective working methods in other EU countries. Through the project we wanted to develop professional competencies in the field of early treatment of autism and modern pedagogical and therapeutic practice. The project was implemented because we are aware that with new knowledge and proven practical experience from abroad we can improve the education system for children with AD. During the project, strategies for quality early treatment of children have been examined and added to the annual work plans of the SDHA department as well as regular kindergarten departments. A dissemination plan was made with the purpose of by reaching as many stakeholders as possible: children, parents, the local community and the system as a whole, thus contributing to educating professionals in the field of education in Slovenia on effective approaches to working with AD children.