Nitzan in Haifa: Established in 1984 by parents and volunteers for the advancement of children, youth and adults suffering from learning, adjustment and functioning disabilities (SLD).
Definitions of Learning disabilities: Most definitions describe special learning disabilities as an umbrella term that encompasses a wide variety of disorders, including disorders in one or more of the basic learning and psychological processes. For a long period of time it was thought that learning disabilities were children's issue. That once the child finished schools the problem would disappear. Recently research's has shown that learning disabilities do not disappear when one leaves school and that they can occur across an individual's lifetime. These difficulties vary in severity may affect one or more areas of a person's life, including learning, work, social and emotional functioning or performing ordinary daily tasks. Moreover, learning disabilities do not manifest themselves in individuals in exactly the same way. Some learning disabilities can be mild, while others can be quite severe.
Based on those population special needs we provides the following services:
• The Diagnostic Testing Center – Our center offers a valuable tool for determining a person’s specific problem areas. Based on the test results, a recommended treatment program is designed.
• The Occupational / Emotional Therapy Center: For children age 3 – 11 that, due to their physical or emotional disabilities need physiotherapy or emotionally treatments. The occupational therapist's primary role is to promote balance between children's abilities and environmental supports and demands. So that occupational performance of children and their families is optimized for activities related to daily living, play, school and social roles.
• The Social/Therapeutic Center: For children youngsters and adults that, due to their social and emotional functioning needs they require accompaniment and guidance in performing ordinary social and daily tasks. Within the frame of the center, the individuals are receiving a wide support from their peers, instructors and therapists in the various fields. Here is the place where the member can freely
express his emotions, without fear of criticism. Here is the place where they celebrate their birthdays, religious holidays and other significant personal and social occasions. Together they take field trips, vacations and other activities initiated by the club staff.
• The Community Social Centers - As opposed to the “regular “ education system where pupils are studying at their commuity schools, the schools for pupils which belong to the special education system are scattered all over the city. That situation is reducing their opportunities for social activities with thier peer groups. In order to fulfil the needs of these pupils and our believes in ” reaching out “ we established social centers in 3 difference special education schools.
• The Community Accommodation Protected Rehabilitation Project :
The Pioneer Program in Israel for adults aged 22 – 55 and above established in 1984. The program based on rehabilitation stages. In the first stage the individual accept in a preliminary apartment where he/she receives intensive guidance in basic daily living skills, practicing and learning social, personal and interpersonal skills. Following this stage, accompanied by our professional staff member, he/she moves into his/her permanent apartment, both alone or with another person who has already passed the first stage and is able to function more or less independently.