DRC - DISABILITY RESEARCH CENTRE

The Disability Research Centre was established by the Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma – UNINT on the 7 December 2016, in response to the national need to launch an active monitoring programme of the diagnosis, rehabilitation, and education needs related to disabilities.

There has been a steady increase in late diagnosis neurodevelopmental disorders, often due to symptoms in the early stages that may be difficult to interpret and that may compromise the results and functional recovery process. In order to facilitate the integration and improvement in the quality of life, it is necessary to develop early detection strategies and prevention and rehabilitation programmes

OBJECTIVES AND ADDRESSEES

The Centre’s main aim is to carry out training and research development activity in the field of epidemiology, prevention, rehabilitation, and behavioural psychology applied to education.

Main addressees are Public bodies (Local Health Authorities, schools, and rehabilitation centres), parent associations, and all those professionals wishing to be involved in active training projects in the social, health, and pedagogic areas. The focus is on:

• Detecting and diagnosing neurodevelopmental disorders (autism, special needs, intellectual disability, etc.);
• Functional assessment for the drawing-up of rehabilitation plans and Individualised Education Plans (IEP);
• Intervention models and operational strategies for the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders;
• Assessment of the findings and social integration in schools and workplaces.

fields of activity 

The Centre, in cooperation with the public bodies, has the following purposes:

• Epidemiological investigations to assess the actual prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders;
• Identifying education and rehabilitation programmes to facilitate the development of communicative, cognitive, and inclusive strategies in disability situations;
• Developing scientifically proven aids to promote augmentative/alternative communication and the use of sign languages;;
• Undertaking clinical research activities within the Parent Training and the Peer Tutoring area;
• Creating a network that connects several parent associations and facilitates communication between parents and professionals;
• Creating standardised tools useful for functional assessment and rehabilitation programmes/IEP;
• Undertaking research activities to assess the rehabilitation and the global expenditure on needs related to disabilities.              

Scientific Director

Alessandro Frolli, Child Neuropsychiatrist, PhD in Behavioral Sciences and Learning Processes, UNINT Professor

Scientific coordinator

Sara Rizzo, Sociologist, Expert in Teaching and Special Pedagogy, UNINT Professor

Events

13/05/2021 - Lo schermo che unisce e divide

30/06/2017 - 02/07/2017 - Autism Network and Best Practices - Summer Session in Italy

The Disability Research Centre has activated a Parent Training programme at the Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma – UNINT that is intended for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The programme is composed of four training meetings focused on the following specific subject areas:

• Module 1 – Autism: Causes, Early Diagnosis, Clinical Symptoms, Starting the Treatment
• Module 2 – ABA and Autism: What is ABA, Basic procedures, Pairing, Educational Management;
• Module 3 – Verbal Behaviour: Functional Communication, Verbal Operants, Training Mand, ITT;
• Module 4 – Maladaptive Behaviour Management: CDs, Functional Analysis, proactive procedures, responsive interventions.

Masters and refresher courses

Master di I livello "Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) nel trattamento precoce dei disturbi dello spettro autistico"

Master di II livello "Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) nel trattamento precoce dei disturbi dello spettro autistico"

Master di I livello "Disturbi dell'apprendimento e disturbi del neurosviluppo"

Corso di specializzazione in "Disabilty Management. Le competenze per la gestione della disabilità"

Corso di specializzazione in Tecnico esperto di Aalisi Applicata del comportamento (ABA)

Location

Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma - UNINT