Psychological-therapeutic approach to children with developmental difficulties: intellectual disability and autism

Intelektualna onesposobljenost i autistični poremećaj dvije su razvojne poteškoće često zastupljene u današnjoj populaciji. Prisutnost te djece u svijetu i njihova borba za život ruši mišljenje društva da su takva ljudska bića nedostojna života zbog loše kvalitete života koja utječe na bračne odnose unutar obitelji te dovodi do emocionalne nestabilnosti i promijenjenog načina života koja stvara financijske probleme kako roditelja tako i društva koje se brine za njih. Iako nam se ovi razlozi čine opravdanim i možemo pomisliti da je to zapravo tako, od ljudskog bića ne smijemo odustati. Svako ljudsko biće ima svoje dostojanstvo koje treba poštovati i čuvati. Uz pomoć društvene zajednice, može im se osigurati i poboljšati kvaliteta života. Djeca s poteškoćama u razvoju teže se prilagođavaju sredini u kojoj žive. Uz to, često znaju biti izolirana, isključena, odbijana od strane okoline. To ne znači da pokušaj njihove integracije nije potreban. Upravo suprotno. Treba težiti tomu da ona budu samostalna koliko je to moguće, da se mogu brinuti za sebe, da poznaju osnovne vještine, da im je dostupna zdravstvena njega, da nauče komunicirati i surađivati s ljudima koji ih okružuju. Za to im je potrebna podrška i pomoć cijele društvene zajednice. Dijagnozu poremećaja važno je otkriti na vrijeme kako bi se moglo započeti s pravilnom terapijom i kako bi se djeci pomoglo na što bolji i učinkovitiji način. Djeca s poteškoćama u razvoju imaju pravo na obrazovanje i odgoj, uz osigurane uvjete i potporu, uz pomoć kojega iz djeteta izvlačimo njegov maksimalan potencijal s poštivanjem njegove specifične poteškoće, način funkcioniranja i potreba. Osim toga, važno je i uključiti ih u župnu zajednicu kako bi spoznali i štovali Boga s jedne strane, i kako bi zajednica prepoznala i osjetila Boga u njima s druge strane.Intellectual disability and autistic disorder are two developmental problems often represented in today's population. The presence of these children in the world and their struggle for life break down society's belief that these human beings are unworthy of life because of their poor quality of life which affects marital relationships within the family and leads to emotional instability and a changed lifestyle that creates financial problems for parents and society that cares for them. Although these reasons are justified, and we may think that this is so, we must not give up on human beings. Every human being has their dignity that needs to be respected and guarded. With the help of the social community, we can assure and improve their quality of life. Children with developmental difficulties tend to adapt harder to the environment in which they live. Besides that, they are often isolated, excluded, rejected by the environment. This does not mean that attempting to integrate them is not needed. Exactly the opposite. We should strive that they be as much independent as possible, to take care of themselves, to know basic skills, to have access to health care, to learn to communicate and cooperate with the people around them. That is why they need the support and help of the entire community. Diagnosing the disorder in time is important for proper therapy and to help the children in a better and more effective way. Children with developmental disabilities have the right to education and upbringing with secured conditions and support by which we draw out the maximum potential of the child with respect to his specific difficulty, mode of functioning and need. Furthermore, it is important to include them in the parish community, so they would, on the one hand, comprehend and worship God, and on the other make the community recognize and feel God in them