Changing paradigms in child institutionalization: the case of bulgaria

Perspectives of intellectual disability in Serbia and Bulgaria: epidemiology, policy and services for children and adults

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The review aims to summarize data published in scientific journals and available from official websites on epidemiology, policies and services for children and adults with intellectual disability in Serbia and Bulgaria, countries which are in the process of rapid political, economic and social changes.

RECENT FINDINGS

The estimated prevalence of intellectual disability is between 1 and 3%, as in other south-east European countries, but evidence-based publications on epidemiology of intellectual disability are lacking.A shift from biomedical to social model of disability has inspired the policies, legislation and programs for persons with intellectual disability adopted in the last few years. Deinstitutionalization and development of community-based services for children and adults with intellectual disability are a great challenge. Biomedical and particularly molecular genetic studies are prevailing in research, but psychosocial studies have received increased attention recently.

SUMMARY

There has been encouraging progress in policies and services aimed to improve the well being and respect of human rights of persons with intellectual disability in Serbia and Bulgaria, but well designed and methodologically rigourous scientific studies are needed to inform the future policies and practice for the benefit of people with intellectual disability.