Prenatal exposure of a child to alcohol may cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FAS/FASD). As a result, the affected child may exhibit lower intellect, neurosensory disorders, hyperactivity, executive functions disorder, abstract thinking and behaviour disorders combined with growth disorders and facial dysmorphia. In addition, undiagnosed and untreated children may suffer from serious secondary and tertiary disabilities. The aim of this paper is to provide a research overview of practical information about FAS/FASD syndrome, a presentation of the 4-Digit Diagnostic Code method and a sample of the research results by the first Centre of Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of FAS in Slovakia.

This study has been devoted to creative attitudes represented by 6-7-year old children, evaluated by the creative and re-constructive attitudes rating scale (SPTO)1. The central focus was to relate differences in attitudes among children commencing their education at the age of 6 to those who had started their school attendance before the reform (at the age of 7). An attempt was made to answer the question whether pupils differing in the year of birth, joined within one school form, would generate any disruption of their potential creativity. A complementary issue was to evaluate the level of creative attitudes along the dimorphic pattern.

The article draws attention to the difficulties in functioning as a pupil and peer of children of other cultures (migrants) who have to find themselves in a new educational and social reality after coming to Poland. There will be special analysis made of migrant children (of other nationalities), who mainly face language competence deficits and, consequently, adaptation and educational problems. The educational system has to more often face the new challenges of teaching and bringing up multicultural students (belonging to different national, ethnic, linguistic, and religious). For them, Polish is usually a foreign language that significantly influences the quality of their social contacts and educational achievements. Language proficiency is therefore crucial for school success and integration. One of these challenges is to accurately and reliably identify the needs of students with multiple difficulties at different levels of education to organize effective psychological and pedagogical assistance. The article draws attention to the key elements of the diagnostic process which include: a diagnostician, a child, a parent (subjects in the research relationship), and research methods and tools (subjects). The issue of limitations of the process of diagnosing specific learning and social difficulties becomes particularly important here, as well as identification of barriers resulting from the search for effective assistance solutions.

Polarization: the polemic with the article “Fanaticism as an educational problem”

The criticism of the article “Fanaticism as an Educational Problem” focuses on the selective treatment of fanaticism symptoms, ignoring the role of political polarization and age in analysing this phenomenon. Gałkowski and Gałkowski’s article (2023) presents a valuable proposal for a minimal educational program, but it requires considering a broader social, cultural, and individual context in diagnosing fanaticism and applying effective tools to counteract this phenomenon. The starting point of the debate is the observation that fanaticism remains a negatively perceived label that excludes individuals or social groups, hence the need for clarification on how cultural diversity and intercultural communication can contribute to it. Fanaticism is associated with an existential crisis, but there are also specific developmental phenomena in children that can be mistaken for fanaticism. Literary works can help in understanding this phenomenon. The proposed examples indicate that fanaticism is primarily a group phenomenon characterized by action rather than solely an attitude to the truth. In preventing and dismantling fanaticism, it is important to consider emotions related to uncertainty and develop skills to cope with it. Finding effective alternatives to psychoactive substances in emotional regulation and violence prevention poses a challenge. Fanaticism can be present in the inertia of customs and can be recognized by sensitive young people in society’s reactions to demands for social change. The situation of individuals expelled at the Polish-Belarusian border highlights the difference between uncompromising commitment and fanaticism. Human rights should be respected without exceptions, and the willingness to accept external judgment distinguishes activists from fanatics. Building relationships free from fanaticism in communities, especially in the case of refugees, requires considering the atmosphere and pedagogy of the place, which play a crucial role in combating fanaticism.