individual needs in terms of their psycho-social development, as well as in terms of their physiological development. In light of the medical records of children the NPM noticed a disturbing trend. The condition of some of the children in these homes did not appear to meet the mental retardation diagnosis. According to the NPM their disabilities are due more to the social environment rather than genetic and/or physiological damage. This kind of wrong diagnosis leads to a serious state of these children, the so-called „social oligophrenia”. A similar case was also noted in the HCDPC - Plovdiv. The NPM met a child of five years, who was diagnosed as a child with a disability. However, this child can count, knows letters and has a desire for social interaction. In this 2013 the NPM aims to explore this issue in detail in order not to allow placement of such children in such institutions, which directly leads to the violation of their rights. The NPM also points to another alarming fact. During the settlements checked where these homes are located, and in the more remote of them there are no day-care centres for children with disabilities and centres for social rehabilitation. The National Strategy „Vision for deinstitutionalization of children in Bulgaria” clearly states that one of the priorities is „development of services and alternative forms of care allowing removal of children from institutions and prevent their accommodation.” On this occasion the NPM recommended to accelerate the process of deinstitutionalization by establishing appropriate health and social services in the community. Education and Training During the inspections the NPM team found that the educational process in such type of homes is widespread. Some of the children are trained in accordance with the Waldorf pedagogy programme that focuses on the development of applied skills for children by working with natural materials, production of various pieces of paper, wood, clay and more. Other attend general or special schools. As an example of good practice can be pointed out the home for disabled children in the city of Mezdra. The team from the above home has developed a programme for conducting extracurricular activities very well. With the support of various donors, some children attend tennis lessons. There is a vocal group called „Bells”. Some of the children are taught to sing in the „Lyubomir Pipkov” music school - Sofia, and one child attends piano lessons. The home has strongly applies the „Correctional educational work” programme. The educational process takes place in the home, and for this purpose classrooms are equipped and the children are divided into four groups. Measures for protection and reintegration and adoptions 31 Annual Report of the National Preventive Mechanism | OMBUDSMAN OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA