Thursday, December 3, to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, took place, at the Palace of Parliament, the launching event of the Autism Connect portal - a quick mechanism to respond to the needs of children with autism, developed by specialists of the Help Autism Association.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is considered to be the most common medical condition of the child, it is a public health priority, as recommended by the European Commission. With an incidence of 1 in 68 children, four times more common in boys than in girls, autism diagnosis is becoming more common in Romania. Diagnosed at 2 years of age, with proper care, children with autism can get an to be independent adults.

Mihaela Ungureanu, Secretary of State, President of the National Authority for Persons with Disabilities (ANPD) presented the current situation of the Interministerial Working Group for individuals with disabilities in Romania: "In the interministerial working group, I felt the need to ask for consensus on establishing a list of priorities, with the aim of a unified approach from the institutional standpoint. The General Directorate of Higher Education, College of Social Workers, The Romanian College of Psychologists, The Association of Family Physicians, are some of the representative institutions with a significant contribution to the viability of this idea through the development of three sectors: health, education, social protection. It is very important that we all have the same image and understanding of autistic spectrum disorders. Essential to remember is that a child diagnosed with autism needs support to develop independent living skills. For this, we must intensify our efforts and focus on the early diagnosis and early intervention aspects. "

At the event Cristina Nichita - Member of the Romanian Parliament declared : "As a deputy, but also as a parent, I know that what parents want is for the social services to be deducted, that their children benefit from free therapy services. I was faced with the question: Why does a person diagnosed with a medical condition is receiving free treatment and children with ASD are not?

I replied that autism is a particular diagnosis. No matter how fast they learn how to live the same way we do, a person affected by this disorder, will allways have this diagnosis. I want to live in a world in which the disabled person is accepted, it is the first step. This change starts from each of us. Perhaps I will not convince many fellow parliamentarians, but I wish that through what I do to help, and to inspire policy makers and make them follow because they see that the activities they get involved in heve results. If we want to become an inclusive society, we must learn to accept."

With an experience of over 5 years, Help Autism Association is one of the most active non-governmental entities in changing the status of autistic children in Romania. Daniela Bololoi - president of the association and clinical psychologist, said that ignorance can transform a child with recovery potential in a disabled person. "Autism is a condition that can turn a child with potential into a person with disability. If we join forces, many of these children have the chance to become independent adults. In the 5 years since we are engaged in this problematic we have noticed that there is only one solution, to put together these resources from the state, NGOs, field specialists and parents. All these resources can be put together to produce tangible results. This is the platform's service, to be a resource primarily for the parent. "

Anca Dumitrescu, the first Romanian specialist international accredited ABA therapist and president of ATCA talked about the child's route from the first identified symptoms to the therapeutic intervention and the benefits that www.autismconnect.ro platform brings "It is an important project regarding the access to information of a parent, in order to help him realize what is happening to his child. I have noticed in the past year a decrease in the age at which children are being brought to specialists and this is an essential element in recovery. It is very important that at the first signs of a disorder for the child be consulted by a specialist and for the parent to know what is happening with his child and include him as quickly as possible in a recovery program."

The presentation of Autism Connect portal - the first platform for informing and connecting parents of children with autism with professionals was made by Mariana Hanganu, project manager and moderator of the event. "AutismConnect.ro portal was designed in response to the immense need for information and solutions felt by parents when receiving the diagnosis. The platform enables the parent to find the doctor, psychologist, therapy center, kindergarten or school for his child, according to the city he lives in, a crucial step for those in small cities or remote areas. "Said Mariana Hanganu .

Hosted on www.autismconnect.ro, the online portal creates a bridge between parents and specialists, depending on the city of residence. Now, www.autismconnect.ro is an interactive map of Romania where the parent can connect with over 4,900 schools (nurseries, kindergartens, schools), 980 clinics, 45 General Directorates for Social Assistance and Child Protection, Care Centers and local NGOs and over 300 therapy specialists : psychologists, speech therapists, physiotherapists.

Www.autismconnect.ro platform is part of the "Help Autism Connect - involving the community in support of children with ASD," funded by grants SEE 2009 - 2014, within the NGO Fund in Romania, with a duration of 8 months. The total eligible project is 40.509 euros, of which 34.897 EURO eligible amount of the grant awarded from the NGO Fund and 5.612 EURO eligible contribution of the beneficiary and is implemented in Bucharest between June 15, 2015 - February 14, 2016.

*Proiect finanțat prin granturile SEE 2009 - 2014, în cadrul Fondului ONG în România

*Pentru informaţii oficiale despre granturile SEE şi norvegiene accesaţi www.eeagrants.org
 

Asociația HelpAutism.