Today in the frames of the Autism Awareness International Day VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian visited the Children Development Center for children with autism. The Center accommodates twenty 3-12 year-old children. VivaCell-MTS has been supporting the Center since 2008. The specialized educational treatment of children with autism is an expensive process, as each child is being treated individually – one specialist per each child. In order to support this resource-consuming process VivaCell-MTS has allocated considerable funds, thanks to which children attend this institution with no fee. Mr. Yirikian presented each child with a set of the world-known “Dorling Kindersley” publishing company’s “My First Board Book” illustrated and colorful series, with the help of which millions of children of the world get to know their mother tongue and the surrounding world. According to the professional staff of the Center and the parents of the children, progress and positive change was observed not only in terms of obtaining academic knowledge but in the behavior and mental abilities of the children as well. Moreover, two children from the Center started attending secondary schools. These results are the proof of the efficiency of the activities realized by the “Children Development Center” NGO. Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. Autism is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. No special statistical data concerning this disorder exists in Armenia. But the mere fact that such a kindergarten exists, by itself proves that this problem did not bypass Armenia. A child won’t “outgrow” autism as there’s no cure for it. But children can learn to function within the confines of the disorder, especially if treatment begins early. Intensive early intervention yields a tremendous amount of progress in children by the time they enter kindergarten, often reducing the need for intensive supports. Children with autism require specially designed services and support to reach those goals. “All children deserve the opportunity to laugh and play and to become healthy and happy adults. VivaCell-MTS believes that joining hands and struggling together we will have positive result and progress for these children. We just want to give the families hope so that they don’t give up. We, as a corporate responsible company, are committed to supporting them in this”, noted VivaCell-MTS General Manager. VivaCell-MTS believes that only through joint partnership between business and society it will be possible to improve the quality of life for one child, one family and our country.

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