(approved by the Board of Directors on 07/12/2016, minutes no. 66)
The DRC - Disability Research Centre - was established at Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma – UNINT on 7 December 2016 in response to a national need to start an active monitoring of diagnostic, rehabilitation and educational pathways aimed at taking care of disability. The study of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in the last four years has allowed an in-depth study of new research models in the field of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Neuroscience, Didactics and Special Education.
Objectives and target audience
The aim of the DRC is to conduct applied research in the various fields of psychology, with a particular focus on epidemiology, prevention, rehabilitation and educational psychology.
This research activity is, moreover, supported by a wide training offer. Interlocutors and recipients of the Centre's activities are public bodies (ASL- Local Health Authority -, schools, rehabilitation centres), parent associations and all operators in the sector who intend to support research or pursue specific training in the psycho-pedagogical area.
The Research Centre proposes a multidisciplinary and structured approach, offering research laboratories with specialised services with the aim of providing personalised answers to the specific needs of each individual.
The different laboratories, described below, aim to evaluate and frame typical and atypical development processes, adopting an approach that enhances individual resources and identifies any critical issues. The aim is to provide a targeted and specialised intervention, which takes into account the specific needs of children, adolescents, university students and their families.
The team of psychologists, psychotherapists and specialists in cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy offers integrated support aimed at promoting well-being and harmonious development in the cognitive, emotional, behavioural and social fields.
Research activities
The Centre's activities, in collaboration with public and private bodies, have supported the development of the following areas:
- reconstruction of innovative models of study and interpretation of cognitive and learning processes in the field of Neuroscience;
- in-depth study of the issues of typical and atypical development, through the active study of the main cognitive functions;
- identification of innovative teaching and rehabilitation methodologies aimed at encouraging the development of communicative, cognitive and inclusive strategies in the main disability situations;
- development of scientifically validated aids to enhance augmentative/alternative communication and the use of sign language;
- introduction of new Parent Traning and Peer Tutoring models;
- creation of standardised and useful tools for functional assessment and the implementation of rehabilitation/PEI programmes.
Scientific chair
Alessandro Frolli
Child neuropsychiatrist and PhD in Behavioural sciences and learning processes, UNINT
Scientific coordinator
Sara Rizzo
Sociologist and expert in Teaching and special pedagogy, UNINT
Composition of the Disability Research Centre
DNR Lab
The DNR Lab is dedicated to interdisciplinary research in the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience, with a particular focus on neurodevelopmental disorders and on learning and inclusion processes. The lab aims to create a safe and stimulating learning environment, where lecturers, researchers, research assistants and PhD students can explore the interactions between cognitive neuroscience and educational practices. Finally, the possibility of carrying out neuropsychological assessment activities for neurodevelopmental disorders carried out by psychologists specialised in developmental neuroscience.
Find out more in the dedicated section at the following link.
UNINT COUNSEL
The UNINT – COUNSEL offers a safe and welcoming space where students can explore and address their personal, emotional and academic difficulties. Through individual and confidential meetings with expert professionals, the service aims to support the psychological well-being of students, facilitating the management of stress, anxiety and relational problems.
Find out more in the dedicated section at the following link.
GERBA Project (Psychological support against bullying, cyberbullying and gender violence)
Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma (UNINT) promotes a project dedicated to supporting young adults who are victims of bullying, cyberbullying and gender violence, through a psychological service active three days a week. The initiative offers a safe space for listening, needs analysis and targeted psychological support.
To find out more, visit link.
Counselling Office
Thanks to the Counselling Office, the Research Centre supports the development of identity and subjectivity through active and constant listening to the individual in order to make the study path and the construction of the social personality of the students easier. Find out more in the dedicated section at the following link.
Scientific publications of the Centre
COVID-19 Pandemic: Psychological effects of quarantine on adults and children
Development of Self-Esteem in CBT for Child
Emotional Education in Early Onset Schizophrenia and Asperger's Syndrome
Executive Functions and Cannabis Use in Adolescents
Preterm births and Psychopathology
Reflective Functions and Parent Training in ODD
Temperamental patterns and infant joint attention in typical development
Theory of Mind: Autism and Typical Developmental
UDL, Education and Psychotherapy
Participation in editorial series
The Research Centre actively participates in the Aracne psycho-pedagogical in-depth editorial series “Development, Education and Neurodevelopmental Disorders”.
As part of this series, the following volumes have been published: ABA Manual for Behavioural Technicians, Special Education, Disability Study and Life Project, Learning Maps, Manual of Developmental and Educational Psychology, available at the following link.
Apps and new technological aids for disabilities
The Research Centre in collaboration with Garage/94 and Walk On School has developed an innovative App to support parents, teachers and therapists in teaching facilitated signs for communication in individuals with disabilities. The InSegnami App can be downloaded for free on Google Play e Apple Store.
Events
7 October 2022
Specific Learning Disorders: from identification to intervention
13 May 2021
The screen that unites and divides
30 June 2017 - 02 July 2017
Autism Network and Best Practices – Summer Session in Italy
The DRC Research Centre has activated a Parent Training course aimed at parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder at Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma – UNINT. The course includes modules of 4 training sessions on specific thematic areas divided as follows:
- Mod.1 – Autism: Causes, Early Diagnosis, Clinical Symptoms, Starting Treatment;
- Mod.2 – ABA and Autism: What is ABA, Basic Procedures, Pairing, Educational Control;
- Mod.3 – Verbal Behaviour: Functional Communication, Verbal Operants, Traning Mand, ITT;
- Mod.4 – Management of Maladaptive Behaviours: CDs, Functional Analysis, proactive procedures, reactive interventions.
