The early and correct identification of the signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the distinction between the symptoms of Intellectual Disability (ID) are challenges in the public health network throughout Brazil. Aiming to mitigate this problem in Rio Grande do Norte, the Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) will promote a free permanent education program, lasting 24 months, aimed at health professionals who work in Specialized Rehabilitation Centers spread across the Rio Grande do Norte territory. 100 places are offered and registration closes on May 4th, with classes scheduled to start on the 9th of the same month. 

The training is financed by the National Health Care Support Program for Persons with Disabilities (PRONAS/PCD), of the Ministry of Health, which encourages actions and services developed by non-profit entities, associations and private foundations, which work in the field of person with a disability. Professionals will participate in activities aimed at “Attention to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability: a necessity for comprehensive care in the Unified Health System (SUS)”. The activities will be developed by professors who are experts in the field, such as Prof. Dr. Izabel Hazin, from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), for example. 

The general objective of this project is to assist health professionals from Specialized Rehabilitation Centers in the State of Rio Grande do Norte in welcoming, managing and developing health care actions, aimed at the differential diagnosis between Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as for the intellectual rehabilitation of children diagnosed with ID or ASD. The activities are aimed at the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team (psychologists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and social workers) at these Centers.

“It is necessary and urgent to develop continuing education activities aimed at strengthening the training of health professionals in a regional scenario, where there is a high prevalence of people with disabilities – 23.9% of the Brazilian population has at least one disability (visual , auditory, motor or intellectual). The State of Rio Grande do Norte has the highest rate (rate of 27.76% above the national average). Of the four disabilities investigated (visual, hearing, motor and intellectual) there are 30,634 people with severe or intellectual disabilities and an estimated 2,941 people with diagnoses that justify rehabilitation in the area of intellectual disability, according to data from the 2010 Demographic Census. current numbers could be even higher”, highlights neuropsychologist preceptor Samantha Maranhão, coordinator of ISD's Health Education Activities. 

Vacancies

The 100 places are distributed among the following Centers:

Specialized Rehabilitation Center (CER IV ISD) – Macaíba

Specialized Rehabilitation Center (CER II) – Areia Branca

Specialized Rehabilitation Center (Formerly CRI) – Natal

Specialized Rehabilitation Center (CER III) – Caicó

Specialized Rehabilitation Center (CER III) – São José de Mipibu

Specialized Rehabilitation Center (CER IV) – Pau dos Ferros

Specialized Rehabilitation Center (CER III) – Guamaré

Specialized Rehabilitation Center (CER II) – Santa Cruz

Specialized Rehabilitation Center (CER III) / Prof. Clinic. Heitor Carrilho – Christmas

State Secretariat for Public Health (Sesap) – Natal 

Hearing Health Center (Suvag) – Natal  

Activities

The program content is divided into 636 class hours (including remote and in-person meetings with professional practices), on the following themes:

Distance learning

Presentation by the Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) – 16 class hours;

Contributions of Neurology to the differential diagnosis between ID and ASD – 32 class hours;

IRDI and M-CHAT scales – 32 class hours;

Contributions of Neuropsychology to the differential diagnosis between ASD and ID – 32 class hours;

Contributions of Speech Therapy to the differential diagnosis between ASD and ID – 32 class hours;

Contributions of Occupational Therapy to the differential diagnosis between ASD and ID – 32 class hours;

Teaching-Service-Community Integration Practices (Piesc) – 72 class hours;

Singular Therapeutic Project (PTS) applied to intellectual rehabilitation – 32 class hours;

International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) applied to intellectual rehabilitation – 32 class hours;

Professional practice 

The work of the Multidisciplinary Team in the intellectual rehabilitation of ASD and ID – 320 class hours;

End of course – 4 class hours.

Registrations

Registration is open until May 4th and is free.  

They must be done through the link sent to each CER.