Supporting social workers in promoting adaptive skills in persons with intellectual disabilities in a daily centre in Serbia: a case study in a psychosocial perspective.

INTRODUCTION. The present contribution is part of a collaboration between an italian association of psychologists and a daily centre in Belgrade that teaches job skills to its10 guests with intellectual disability to help them become active participants in society and be responsible for their own life. OBJECTIVE. Elaborating qualitative evaluations of the10 subjects attending the centre,in order to help it to face an empasse situation in the working process and answer to their growing needs. METHODS. Direct observation of subjects and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-II(Survey Form),given to social workers and to guests’ families,were employed for investigating communicative, social and daily skills. RESULTS. 5 subjects showed a higher functioning in Communication,3 in Socialization and 2 in Daily skills. An overview of limits and strengths of each guest was outlined.We observed different competences according to the context and interlocutors considered(especially in the “Community” area–Daily abilities).Families had more information about “Writing”(Communication) and “Personal”(Daily abilities) areas,while workers showed in general better considerations or more information as regards Socialization.No respondents answered to some of the items of “Community” and “Receiving”(Communication) areas, that should be more investigated. CONCLUSIONS. Apart from exploring the functioning and potentials of the subjects (that can be a resource one for each other),discussion of results established a reflection on workers’ and relatives’ representations of them and on the close interdependence between the individual and his context.A bio-psycho-social model that goes beyond diagnosis and considers more variables in a development perspective could be useful in present and future projects and actions,that started to be defined.