Orange telecom assists children with autism

Orange Armenia mobile operator, in collaboration with Arabkir joint medical center, summed up Thursday the results of a joint project aimed at assisting autic children and their families.

The project launched in May 2010 was implemented in Yerevan and several regions of Armenia (Lori, Shirak, Tavush, Armavir, Aragatsotn and Gegharqunik regions, as well as the town of Vagahrshapat). It involved participation of 45 teachers and 250 doctors who worked with 100 children beneficiaries.

Orange allocated a total sum of 25.17 million drams for the implementation of the program.

Awareness raising trainings for mothers, nurses and teachers were organized within the project frameworks. Special lectures for pediatricians and family doctors were delivered by German specialists. Sixteen autic children had the chance to spend their summer rest on the coast of Aparan lake together with their parents and nurses.

Speaking on this occasion, Orange CEO Bruno Duthoit said: “ As a telecom brand, Orange does really take care of those society members who have communication problems. Autism is a disease that affects the communication abilitites of humans. By this project, the company demosntrates responsibility for children isolated from the outside world. We are happy for such collaboration with real professionals who perfectly know their business. Trainings for parents and specialists will continue in 2011, and summer camps too, will host the beneficiaries.

"Autism can be considered one of the undisclosed diseases of the 20th century," said General Director of Arabkir Joint Medical Center Ara Babloyan.

"Since 2010, the notion 'autism pandemic' has been widely at issue in the United States. In Armenia too, there is a high incidence of the disease. Over the past four years, 336 children aged 0-5 were diagnosed with autism. An early detection of the disease, a proper rehabilitation, as well as relevant educational activities will help increase children's perception of the surrounding world, enhancing the quality of their life and making them independent members of the society. Apart from assisting autic children and their families, the project also aims to raise general public awareness of the problem.