Tony Osgood, an expert in Intellectual Disabilities Studies, lectured at UWB

The seminar was beneficial to final-year students of Faculty of Education who are preparing to become special educators and social workers.

On Wednesday, March 20th, a public lecture by Professor Tony Osgood from the Tizard Centre, University of Kent in Canterbury, attracted more than a hundred teachers, experts from counseling facilities, non-profit organizations, and students of the Faculty of Education (FoE) at the University of West Bohemia.

The expert in the field of Person-Centered Approaches was invited by the Special and Inclusive Education Unit at the FoE in cooperation with NGOs Inclusion Czech Republic and Hope for the Children of the Full Moon.

The topic of the lecture was 'Positive Behavior Support and its implementation for individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or challenging behavior.' It was hosted at the auditorium on Veleslavínova Street. The seminar, held in the afternoon, proved beneficial for final-year FoE students preparing to become special educators and social workers in the field of supporting children and adults with intellectual disabilities. It focused on practical approaches and techniques to enhance understanding of the behavior of individuals, particularly those with intellectual disabilities.

Tony Osgood is a prominent expert in Intellectual Disabilities Studies and Positive Behavior Support in the UK. Committed to supporting individuals with disabilities and advocating for human rights, he serves as a university teacher, lecturer, supervisor, clinical worker, and author of professional publications. Through these roles, he makes significant contributions to the field and provides effective tools to engage people with intellectual disabilities in meaningful activities.

He also brought years of experience and professional expertise to the discussion in Pilsen. 'In my experience, what individuals with challenging behavior truly need is understanding, inclusion, and support, rather than blame or misunderstanding,' Osgood emphasized. Among other topics, he discussed potential causes of challenging behavior and offered practical tips for providing effective support and fostering positive outcomes. An important theme of the lecture was the significance of creativity and imagination in enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities.

'We believe that spreading awareness, understanding various behavioral manifestations, focusing on strengths, and maintaining high expectations for people with intellectual disabilities can contribute to a more inclusive environment, where they are recognized as full members of society,' says Šárka Káňová, head of the Special and Inclusive Education Unit at FoE.