The Clinical Center for Early Childhood Development (KCCG) has seen a continuous increase in the volume of work and the number of children and families using services in the last few years, as well as the expansion of multidisciplinary activities that include diagnostics, early intervention and education, said KCCG Director Aleksandar Radović.
The KCCG announced that the Center for Early Development of this health institution organized the 5th symposium on autism spectrum disorders on Wednesday, entitled "Diversity as Values in Contemporary Society", which brought together a large number of experts from the country and abroad, as well as representatives of institutions, support systems and civil society organizations.
As stated by the KCCG, the large attendance at this year's conference once again confirmed the growing importance of the topics of early development, neurodiversity, and family support in modern society.
"Opening the symposium, the director of the KCCG emphasized the importance of systemic development of services for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, emphasizing that in the last few years the Center for Early Development has recorded continuous growth in the scope of work, the number of children and families using services, but also the expansion of multidisciplinary activities that include diagnostics, early intervention, education and coordination with other sectors," the statement said.
State Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Milena Cojić, pointed out the importance of the Early Childhood Development Strategy, within which programs for early detection, education of experts, and support for families are being intensively developed.
She emphasized that investing in early development represents an investment in society as a whole.
The Director of the Center for Early Development, Iva Ivanović, emphasized that the symposium goes beyond the framework of a professional gathering and represents a space for joint reflection on social values.
"Diversity is not an obstacle, but a space for encounter, understanding and growth. The way we talk about autism shapes not only the professional discourse, but also the everyday lives of children and their families," said Ivanovic.
She also emphasized the importance of community and social responsibility.
"Montenegro is too small for our children to be separated - neither in systems, nor in support, nor in understanding. It is our responsibility to build a society that connects, not divides," said Ivanovic.
The KCCG stated that special value was given to this year's conference by international lecturers who presented modern approaches to diagnostics and support for people with autism.
"Among them are Aleksandra Perović (UCL, London), who spoke about the language abilities of children and adults with autism, Tanja Satterthwaite (NHS, London) about the diagnostic process and post-diagnostic intervention in the UK, as well as Silvija Pučko from Croatia, who presented models of organizing support for families," the statement says.
It is stated that the symposium program also included a series of expert sessions that connected the medical, developmental, and social aspects of autism, from early brain development and neurodiversity, through modern neuroimaging approaches, to the question of what we know and do not know about autism today.
"The symposium concluded with the message that autism should not be viewed solely through diagnosis, but also through the prism of identity, potential, and the values that diversity brings to society," said the KCCG.
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