No abstract

This research aims to investigate the characteristics of teachers of the special education population, their training, the available training programs, the necessary qualifications the possibility of their cooperation with bodies and individuals (like school counselor) and their motivations as regards this field of employmen.
The results show that: Women are the majority among young teachers having less experience in special education. On the contrary, men between 31-50 years old are comparatively more than women. The majority of teachers up to the age of 30 years old serve special schools and the majority of teachers between 31-40 years old serve integration classes. INSET colleges (Didaskalia) train the majority of teachers on special education. Special studies and sensitization motivate teachers to choose the field of special education to a high degree. Financial bonuses also play an important role in their choice. According to teachers, school units and school system in general does not correspond to a great extend with the particular needs of special education. Teachers cooperate satisfactorily to a great extent with their colleagues and with the parents of their students. The element that mainly differentiates teachers that participated in the research in relation to the total of their answers is their age.

Observation is considered a reliable method for the recognition of behavioural, communicative, cognitive, sensory and motor difficulties. However, the assessment of children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) should not be confined to the application of one method (Kroustalakis 1994, Polychronopoulou 1995, Vosniadou, 1995. This article aims to present the method of systematic observation (value, aim, techniques and the role of observer), as well as to propose other techniques of assessment and diagnosis for children with PDD. The conclusion is that since PDD characteristics change during a child's development and they vary among individuals, since diagnostic criteria and tools have not yet been commonly decided among professionals, causes of PDD are still under investigation and treatments have not been defined, systematic observation can contribute to the assessment of children with PDD and make the environment functional to child's needs.

Organizations have developed programs for the vocational training of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Some programs reflect trends in the labor market. The interest of policy planning is focused on social perceptions and successful social and vocational inclusion.Aim is the review of programs for vocational training and education-to-employment transition for adults with ASD and the provision of a critical evaluation of their results.The study entailed a review of the relevant literature, starting from the 1980s, since before that time there had been no systematic state provision of vocational training. The inclusion criteria for the study were: (a) the sample included adults diagnosed with ASD, (b) the programs included interventions for vocational training and inclusion, models for teaching vocational and social skills in the context of supported employment.Study revealed interesting findings related to vocational training and the inclusion prospects for adolescents and adults with ASD, which could further influence social protection planning and support measures for them. It showed that educational policy in the last ten years has included the vocational training and inclusion of individuals with ASD and, therefore, more flexible programs and alternative forms of independent living are being developed for them.Social mentality plays significant role for the social and vocational inclusion of adults with ASD. Some steps might be opportunities for participation in vocational programs, their enrichment, vocational counseling and guidance, opportunities for continuous development of working skills along with INSET and counseling, financial support to employees and a consistent policy towards vocational inclusion.

The present study examined the application of three cognitive theories-the Theory of Mind (ToM) deficit, the Theory of Executive Functions (EF) and Weak Central Coherence Theory (WCC)-in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). 9 children with ASD and 18 children of Typical Development (TD) participated in the study. According to the results, most of the children with ASD showed significant deficits in the development of ToM, while a few of them succeeded in all the ToM tests. With regard to EF theory, the children with ASD did not present a deficit in any of the four executive functions in which they were examined, since their performances were similar to those of TD children. As for the WCC theory, the results cannot support the existence of a deficit. However, it seems that children with ASD struggle in respect of global precedence when a local interference effect is present.