In the Republic of Moldova, the community's perception of the people with autism remains negative despite the fact that there is a wider knowledge about this disorder. Autism is often regarded unilaterally; it is associated with aggression and intellectual incapacity, an approach that is detrimental to the people with autism. Contacted by IPN for details, the director of the SOS Autism Social Center Olga Guzun said that each child with autism requires an individual approach, based on understanding and support, instead of hasty labeling.

About autism, in a unique and credible voice

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects two main areas – communication and social interaction and manifests itself through repetitive, obsessive and rigid behavior.

The director of the Social Center "SOS Autism" said that in the Republic of Moldova, there is no "single, credible voice" that speaks about autism at the official level, based on scientific notions and research. The opinions are mythologized, based on one's own views and, as a result, form erroneous perceptions in society.

Parents leave doctors with diagnoses such as elements of autism and pervasive developmental disorder and believe that this is not autism. However, according to the ICD-11 system, to which Moldova is not yet connected, all these are included in the autism spectrum.

Progress in small steps

Olga Guzun said that the parents who have children with autism are now much more confused than they were before. It is not clear who makes the diagnosis. While the law stipulates that you must go to the psychiatrist, parents turn to the neurologist.

The ADOS and ADI-R social tests, applied in the diagnosis of autism, involve questions and answers and observation of the child's behavior. Although they must be done together, to ensure the accuracy of the diagnosis, in some state institutions only one is done and this leads to a considerable margin of error. Some parents don't know about these assessments and resort to blood tests or genetic tests, which can't accurately diagnose autism.

Therapy services are also a problem. There are many, different services and parents go from one therapist to another without result. As a result, children got to kindergartens and schools and have no progress in developmental areas, are not socialized, do not know the rules of behavior in these institutions and, respectively, inclusion is affected. After the ninth grade, these children no longer have any chance to go to college or university and go to vocational schools, which in Moldova are not ready for inclusion. And, most of the time, young people with autism remain isolated at home, without any possibility of social or professional integration.

In her opinion, the legal framework is quite good and provides for inclusion, stipulating the integration of all children in mainstream schools. If the parent is ambitious and sets the goal for the child to learn in a mainstream public school, makes an effort for him/her to stay there, then the child will be successful. If the parent is less confident in their own child's abilities and takes him/her to the so-called "special schools" or opts for partial inclusion, the children do not actively participate in school life. They do not have the opportunity to learn the rules of behavior and cannot socialize with their peers if they are permanently locked in the house.

"In our organization, we stage vocational workshops for young people, group therapy so that they can go out, socialize, learn handicrafts," said the director of "SOS Autism".

Olga Guzun noted that residential, protected houses are needed for young people with autism where they would practice an autonomous life. Before managing on their own, they should practice under the guidance of a specialist in order to acquire independent living skills. Subsequently, social housing should be organized for him, where he can live when his parents no longer have his side by his side.

The director of the "SOS Autism" Social Center said the fact that the people do not understand that these children must be accompanied is the biggest problem in the inclusion process.

"You throw them into a social environment, where there are a lot of children and they should socialize, but they can't do it on their own. They will not learn the rules of socialization on their ow. Someone needs to guide them permanently. But in our country, there are not many accompanying specialists. There are few support teachers in schools. Progress is being made, but with very small steps," said the director of the institution.

Informed means protected

Olga Guzun expressed her regret at the fact that in the Republic of Moldova, the parent of a child with autism often feels alone in the face of challenges. The information helps them discover scientifically validated intervention methods for this disorder. Parents are recommended to become specialists in everything, including therapy, and to be prepared to answer questions about their child in kindergarten or school.

"The parent must know the child very well, build a vision of their own child, what they want this child to achieve, what future they see for him/her and start working to bring this child close to his created image of the future because it is a phenomenal disorder, which has many advantages. These children can learn. They have a very good memory, have many talents and we must focus on these talents," stressed Olga Guzun.

Sharing her own experience, the director of the institution recommended parents to study everything that Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) means, to get information especially from primary sources in English, from specialized organizations in Romania, as well as from local platforms: autismmap.md.

Call for patience and indulgence

The director of the Social Center "SOS Autism" urges the community to be patient and indulgent with children who have autism, not to judge superficially, to give them a chance and to get to know them. It is important that these children feel comfortable. Financial donations to support families raising children with autism, as well as other aid, are welcome.

Every year on April 2, World Autism Awareness Day is celebrated to raise awareness of this pathology in communities around the world.