Working together for green, competitive and inclusive Europe

Projektai

SCERTS model adaptability in Lithuania

Project promoter: MEDGINTRAS

Project title: SCERTS model adaptability in Lithuania

Project code: LT03-2-SADM-K01-035

Eligible project costs: maximum eligible cost of the project up to 230 748,42 EUR, of which up to 196 136,16 EUR grant is Mechanism funds and up to 34 612,26 EUR is national of co-financing)

Project contract day: 11 June 2021

Project implementation period: 11 June 2021 – 12 February 2024

Aim of the project / Project description:
Autism spectrum disorders are one of the most widely studied areas of child‘s psychiatry. Unfortunately, in Lithuania, specialists who work with children with autism spectrum disorders and families which are raising such children, lack general information about characteristics of these disorders which could help to accurately apply the right treatment method. The methods used in Lithuania are focused on behavioral therapy but lacks the relationship-oriented models. Also, most of the medical institutions for such needs are located in Lithuanian cities, thus contributing to the disparity of services between regions.

The project aims to improve the quality of mental health services provided to the community focusing on the well-being of children who have autism spectrum disorders and their families.

The project promoter, has drawn up an action plan while considering the existing problems and assessing the lack of services currently provided to the children with autism spectrum disorders and their families:

1.To acquire, prepare and adapt a new SCERTS methodology from abroad for use in Lithuania.
2.To train specialists and extended family members in small municipalities, thus reducing the separation of health care provision between Lithuanian municipalities.
3.To publish information about the project and its results and reduce the stigmatization of people with mental disorders in the society.
4.To implement the goals of the bilateral partnership in cooperation with professionals working with children with autism spectrum disorders.

Once the goals are achieved, a new SCERTS methodology will be acquired and adapted at the national level, which responds to the needs of children with autism spectrum disorders and their families. The SCERTS methodology is distinguished by the fact that it covers various child’s development areas (communicative, socio-emotional, cognitive, and motor) and focuses on psycho-emotional state more than other methods. During implementation period, there will be close cooperation with small Lithuanian municipalities – Joniskis, Kaisiadorys, Kazlu Ruda and Varena, thus reducing the separation of healthcare provision between Lithuanian municipalities. A bilateral partnership with the Norwegian Institute of Psychoanalysis will strengthen partnership between Norway and Lithuania and will ensure greater dissemination of the methodology by complementing it with Norwegian practices while working with children with autism spectrum disorders.

Target group:
The direct target group benefiting from the project is children with special needs (with behavioral and emotional disorders, disability or developmental disorders), in this case children with autism spectrum and related developmental disorders. Also, family members of these children and specialists working with children with special needs (psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, social workers, teachers).
 

Bendraukime