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217 - HELPDESK FOR AUTISM, Ufficio scolastico Vicenza, Italy
C
ONTACT
Ufficio scolastico provinciale n.8 di Vicenza
Ms. Claudia Munaro
Italy
www.autismovicenza.it+39 0444 251 119
claudia.munaro@istruzionevicenza.itO
VERALL GOAL
/
MISSION
The Provincial Helpdesk for Autism of Vicenza is an organizational model of Peer Teaching and support for schools with
students with autism. The Helpdesk was set up in 2007 with the collaboration of a group of teachers with some previous
experience in the inclusion of students with autism in schools.
After two years of specific training, the group of teachers involved started to implement some support and advice (Peer-
Teaching) for colleagues of other schools that request the service and after receiving the authorization of the families.
During 2014/2015, the schools of the province of Vicenza requested the Helpdesk for the support to assist 95 out of 245
students with autism.
T
HE SOLUTION THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED
This project involved all the schools in the province of Vicenza that include students with autism. It was implemented by
a group of highly specialized teachers of all school levels (childhood, primary of first and second grade) with experience
in working with inclusion of children with autism. The main aim of the helpdesk was to help teachers facing some in
difficulties or with the desire to improve their skills in assisting students with special needs. Depending on the needs
expressed by the school that requesting the service, the helpdesk is collaborating with professionals in the sector,
organizing raising awareness meetings, set up training sessions for teachers and classmates with the input of social
assistants, care professionals and other school employees.
C
OUNTRY IN WHICH IT WAS DEVELOPED
:
Italy
C
OUNTRY
/
COUNTRIES IN WHICH IT IS OPERATING
:
Italy
F
ACTS ABOUT SIZE AND SCOPE
The helpdesk has been identified from the VII Senate Commission as an organisational model to be extended in all
Italian Regions.
The Italian Ministry of Education signed an agreement “PROGETTO SCUOLE PER L’AUTISMO” involving 14 schools in
the national territory and identified as Autism Helpdesk.