The Transition from Childhood to Adulthood As a Factor in Changing NGO Practices for People with Behavioral Disorders

According to statistics, the number of children with mental disabilities in Russia is increasing. A third of cases of primary disability among minors are caused by mental disorders and behavioral disorders, another third of childhood disabilities are caused by diseases of the nervous system and congenital anomalies, which can manifest as mental retardation and autism spectrum disorder. In providing social services for these children and developing social innovations, NGOs hold leading positions compared to state service agencies. As a rule, NGOs for children with such diseases are created by their parents. This explains the high efficiency of NGOs, which, while producing services, are also their consumers (V. Pestoff). Within the framework of the ecosystem approach, NGOs providing social services to children and their families are considered one of the control elements in the formation of the environment for their adaptation and socialization (U. Bronfenbrenner).

In our research using interviews and focus groups, in which NPO representatives and parents of children with cognitive disabilities participated, one of the main problems associated with children growing up was identified. Upon reaching adulthood, young people are left without the necessary social assistance, lose the opportunity to communicate with peers and adults, and have no opportunity to work and earn an income.

Therefore, NPOs are expanding the range of social services in the interests of adults with cognitive disabilities. In addition to daytime stay groups, NPOs are developing a technology that is new to Russian social work practice - supported or accompanied employment of people with mental disabilities. To implement these new technologies, NGOs are actively developing relationships with business partners, government agencies, volunteer associations and social entrepreneurs.

The study was conducted with the support of the Russian National Fund, project No. 24-18-00542