Learning outside the classroom for ACT Psychology students

On Thursday, May 16th, Dr. Aimiliza Stefanidou, Coordinator of the BSc Psychology program and Ms. Natalia Alexiou, Coordinator of Student Services accompanied 15 ACT psychology students to WIZKIDS at Kalamaria, Thessaloniki as part of an assignment for their “Developmental Psychology” class.
WIZKIDS was founded by Vaso Mavridou, occupational therapist and Anatolia HS alumna, and is a Center made up of a multidisciplinary team of scientists, fully trained in their field, aiming at providing personalized services based on a variety of scientifically proven methods for the treatment of Infants, Children, and Adolescents. Apart from services such as Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Psychological Support, and Parent Counseling WIZKIDS provides specialized clubs such as: WizBaby (Development of cognitive, motor, communication and emotional skills, behavior management, counseling of young parents, (+18 months) and Developmental playgroups (2-4 Years) where the development of new skills is done through targeted small group play under the guidance of the occupational therapist, WizStudy (daily special education program for elementary students), WizClub (theatrical play, music therapy for children with developmental disabilities of all ages, etc.).

The goal of the visit was for students to learn more about typical and atypical development in children, arrange a set of observation assignments for their class but also to explore volunteering and internship opportunities.
Mr Christos Karmis, Psychologist specialized in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and Director of the Center, welcomed the ACT students to the center’s facilities. He also gave a speech on the important role that psychologists can play in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and how children and their families can cope with and manage the challenges associated with the specific developmental disorder. Students were actively involved through activities and discussions.