In May, classes titled “Our Autism” were held in the common room of Primary School No. 4 in Bolesławiec, named after Jan Matejko. The project was aimed mainly at pupils.
“These are not our only activities,” says Dawid Karol Kołodziej, president of the Main Board of the Polish Psychopedagogical Society. “In Bolesławiec, we are trying to create the first support group in Poland for parents of children with developmental disorders. Such activities are intended to help with the difficulties involved in caring for these children. The support group is intended as a free form of assistance. Any parent who contacts the PTPP psychological and pedagogical counselling centre at 2 Tysiąclecia Avenue in Bolesławiec will be able to use it,” the president assures.
The classes were intended to familiarise participants with autism and Asperger’s syndrome. The children learned that these problems are not the result of an illness, but of a developmental disorder. They were also informed that people with such disorders have many hidden talents. Films related to sensory dysfunctions, including films by the Synapsis Foundation, were shown. The children then took part in exercises with a Klanza parachute, during which they learned about and explored various emotions. The final element of the classes was a discussion with the children about the material presented, followed by drawing the letter A—the symbol of autism—on blue paper hearts.
The organisers of the initiative were the school’s headteacher, Edyta Kwiatkowska, and the Polish Psychopedagogical Society.
Further tasks and projects of the Polish Psychopedagogical Society are being carried out in Bolesławiec
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A Safety Day with Secondary School Complex No. 1 in Bolesławiec (Dolne Młyny Street) and Primary School No. 4, with the support of the Bolesławiec County Police Headquarters
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Time for Health, a project for primary-school children focused on healthy eating
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Psychopedagogical Talent Scout, activities aimed at finding young people who want to become psychologists, educators or psychopedagogues, and helping them pursue their careers
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Women’s Evenings, closed workshops for women who need support and changes in their everyday lives