MENTAL HEALTH AND EDUCATION: PERSONAL EXPERT OPINION BY Milica Pejovic Milovančević, Head of Clinic for Children And Adolescents, Institute of Mental Health (University of Belgrade Serbia, Belgrade)
Milica Pejovic Milovancevic, is child psychiatrist, and associate professor of psychiatry at the School of Medicine, University of Belgrade. Current position: Head of Clinic for Children and Adolescents and Head of the Clinical Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Institute of Mental Health. She is Board member of European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (ESCAP) and general secretary of the Serbian Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professionals (DEAPS). Special fields of interest: autistic spectrum disorders, early intervention for children with developmental delay, child abuse and neglect.
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
«Early detection of development challenges opens the scope for early interventions which can significantly remove or alleviate the effects of development challenges. For children with developmental difficulties, delays and disabilities school period is critical for effective development. Every child has a fundamental right to be educated, and must be given the opportunity to achieve and maintain an acceptable level of learning. Children with a developmental disorders have unique characteristics, interests, abilities, learning needs and education systems should be designed and educational programs implemented to take into account the wide diversity of these characteristics and needs. Those with special educational needs must have access to regular schools which should create an individual education plan specific for the particular child and her/his capabilities. Children with developmental challenges along with their schoolmates without challenges make greater gains when placed together in a high quality inclusive classroom.»
