OREANDA-NEWS. December 25, 2008.  The Company’s representatives visited special kindergarten for children with autism located at 21 Saryan street in Yerevan. The kindergarten operates year round and accommodates 15 3-12 year-old children. During this whole year VivaCell-MTS provided AMD 14 million of assistance thanks to which children attend this institution with no fee.
 
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. People with disabilities need special care as often they are unable to solve elementary problems.  
 
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.
 
This year intervention services in the special kindergarten made a profound difference in outcomes for the children: they not only started paying attention to each other but also show signs of communicating and playing with each other; now some of them try to explain themselves - so many things that one can take for granted until seeing a child with autism.
 
“VivaCell-MTS believes that all children deserve the opportunity to laugh and play and to become healthy and happy adults. We just want to give the families some hope so that they don’t give up. We, as a socially-responsible company, are not going to give up. And let’s hope that one day these children can say "Mom and Dad. I love you". All parents deserve that blessing”, 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.