Supporting preschool children with developmental disabilities in rural areas

Podrška djeci s teškoćama u razvoju pokušava se pružiti svoj djeci jednako, međutim problemi su u ruralnim sredinama ostali neriješeni. Zbog toga što se upravlja s lokalne razine, postoje razlike i u odgojno-obrazovnom sustavu koje se posebno odražavaju na vrlo ranjivu skupinu, a to su djeca s teškoćama u razvoju. Kako bi se djeci s teškoćama omogućila kvalitetna inkluzija, potrebno je stvoriti uvjete. Nekada su se djeca s teškoćama odvajala od djece bez teškoća u posebne ustanove, a nerijetko su bila isključena iz zajednice. Danas je bitno drugačije kada se sve više teži da djeca s teškoćama ne budu društveno izolirana, već da im se pruži prilika za razvoj svih njihovih potencijala te da imaju mogućnost sudjelovanja u svim aspektima društvenog života. Stoga su glavna područja interesa u radu: kompetencije odgojitelja i njihova suradnja s roditeljima i stručnim suradnicima, zakonske odredbe vezane uz programe u koje se mogu uključiti, te važnost podrške. Proveden je anketni upitnik koji je obuhvaćao predškolske ustanove ruralnih područja u različitim dijelovima Republike Hrvatske. Cilj anketnog upitnika bio je saznati jesu li u ruralnim sredinama stvoreni uvjeti za normalan rast i razvoj te socijalizaciju djece s teškoćama u razvoju. It is intended to provide equal support for all children with disabilities. However, problems in rural areas have remained unsolved. Because of manages the local level there are differences in education system, which are particularly noticeable in the most vulnerable group, namely children with disabilities. In order to provide these children a successful integration, the necessary conditions must be created. Children with disabilities used to be separated from other children in specialised facilities and were often excluded from the community. The situation today is significantly different because it is pursued that these children aren't socially isolated, but that they are afforded the opportunity to develop their full potentials and to participate in all aspects of social life. Therefore, my main areas of interest in this paper are: competences of educators and their cooperation with parents, professional coworkers, legislative regulations regarding the programs in which they can enroll and the importance of support. I have conducted a survey that has included preschool education institutions in rural areas in different parts of Croatia. The aim of the survey is to find out if in the rural areas the conditions for normal growth and development and socialisation of the children with disabilities have been created.