On the occasion of December 3rd, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Faculty of Pedagogy of the University of Tetova organized an awareness-raising and professional event on the topic “From challenging behaviors to the full inclusion of students with different abilities”, in collaboration with the Center for psychological and neuro-developmental services “Piramida”.
The event was opened by the Vice-Dean for Science, Asst. Prof. Dr. Teuta Ramadani Rasimi, who emphasized the importance of an inclusive approach in education. She highlighted the need for adaptation within the education system, as well as the challenges related to managing challenging behaviors in the school environment.
Next, the keynote presentation was delivered by Ms. Xhixhe Stafuga, a school psychologist and ABA therapist from the “Piramida” Center (Albania). She provided an in-depth practical approach to understanding the functions of challenging behaviors and methods for managing them through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Ms. Stafuga presented concrete cases from the school environment, explained the difference between labeling and defining behavior, and emphasized the importance of functional analysis (ABC) in designing effective intervention plans.
Through examples and practical strategies, she argued that structured interventions, a proactive approach, and multidisciplinary collaboration are key to the real and functional inclusion of students with different abilities.
The event was enriched by the broad participation of primary school teachers from the Polog region, educational assistants, and professional collaborators, including special educators, rehabilitators, and psychologists, demonstrating the high level of interest within the educational community in topics of inclusion and the management of challenging behaviors.
This organization served as an opportunity for reflection and professional exchange, strengthening the connection between theory and practice, and confirming the role of the Faculty of Pedagogy as a key actor in promoting inclusive education and supporting students with special needs in inclusive schools.
