Vigenin and Penkova: Let us all take action together to make the lives of children with autism better

The Speaker of the National Assembly Assoc. Prof. Natalia Kiselova noted: „Society must accept that there are people who have difficulties. That does not mean we should reject them and leave them to stay at home. We can set out the measures that the state and the municipalities should take in support of people with autism, but the change in the thinking of all of us will bring about the big changes that will make their lives fuller.“ She thanked Kristian Vigenin and Tsvetelina Penkova for organising this charity discussion: „Quite often we are used to closing our eyes to certain problems. But when enough people recognise that a topic matters, it is raised to a higher level.“

„An integrated approach and inter-institutional cooperation are among the key approaches to providing effective support for children with autism and their families. Overcoming social exclusion is essential so that people are accommodated in the school environment with the participation of the specialists working in the social services“, said Deputy Prime Minister and Chair of the National Council of the BSP Atanas Zafirov. In his view, all of us as citizens must move beyond fear and prejudice and focus on the talent and the ability of all people to take a full part in society and contribute to its development.

„People on the autism spectrum have enormous potential and should receive support from society. Being different should not be an obstacle but an opportunity, provided that society supports people with autism in the right direction.“ With these words the Minister of Labour and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov addressed the participants in the charity discussion. He pointed out that the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy is committed to building sustainable policies for support, integration and access to services for people with autism and their families. Particular attention is paid to early diagnosis, adequate social support and the provision of real opportunities for personal and professional development.

Desislav Taskov, MP from the parliamentary group of the BSP, United Left and member of the Health Committee of the National Assembly, shared that his son, now 18 years old, also has autism and has been through the chaotic period that is typical for the families of these children. In his view, they need support in order to bring system into their care and their actions. „I personally will continue to work for a clinical pathway in child psychiatry covering the whole autism spectrum and allowing early diagnosis, adequate and systematic professional help, including with speech therapists and clinical psychologists. I believe this is a step forward towards opening the door and bringing out these hidden children of Bulgaria“, Taskov said.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Krasimira Kostadinova, national coordinator of the South East Europe regional network for autism, placed particular emphasis

on early diagnosis and intervention, which provide better chances for development and quality of life. The Head of the Department of Healthcare and Social Work at New Bulgarian University Assoc. Prof. Dr Polina Mihova committed to developing programmes and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of people with autism. Assoc. Prof. Dr Dimitar Kolev, a neurologist and lecturer in neurolinguistics at Neofit Rilski South West University, believes that autism spectrum disorders require a modern, multidisciplinary approach combining neurophysiological diagnosis, neuromodulation and personalised therapeutic strategies. Dr Desislava Maslinkova from the St Nikola Child Psychiatry Clinic reported that the effect of therapies in children is significantly greater when they begin before the age of two. Milena Kancheva from the Help for People with Developmental Problems Foundation called for sheltered housing to be built for these people so that they do not live with their parents all their lives. Hristina Babalova, a parent of a child with autism, called for more serious attention to education. Anet Marinova, a psychologist at the Frederic Joliot-Curie secondary school, pointed out that cooperation with parents and teachers is very important and requires delicacy of language and an individual approach.
The psychologist Vesela Banova from the Child and Space association called for all possible resources of medicine, social work and schools to be used in order to create a good environment for children with autism.
Kaloyan Damyanov, director of the Regional Centre for Support of the Inclusive Education Process, proposed differentiated support depending on the needs of these children, which vary in intensity.

Twenty-year-old Sevdalin Tlachenski, a student at New Bulgarian University who also has autism, explained that this is not an illness but a condition that makes these people different from the rest. He drew attention to the fact that the language used about people with autism should be more precise. He called for support and patience. He considers himself lucky to be verbal and therefore feels more responsible and called upon to help other children with autism.

The discussion was accompanied by a charity bazaar presenting creative and household items made by the social enterprise Tvoritelnitsa Art and Skok, for developing cognitive skills and building capacity, which involves children and young people with developmental problems. The funds raised will be donated to the Help for People with Developmental Problems Foundation and the Autism, Education, Future, Opportunities association for renovation work on Villa AutistikA, a project for a day centre and social enterprise for children with disabilities in Sofia. The bank account for supporting the Help for People with Developmental Problems Foundation is:

IBAN: BG64INTF40015066377369

BIC: BGUSBGSF