The Delia Foundation provides education and therapies for autistic orphans/foster care children in Barlad, Romania, located in the country's poorest region. A label of autism often prevents a child from attending school. There are no special education teachers here or accomodations for a child who needs support. At our Delia's Center for Special Needs Kids, we give kids the chance to learn, make friends, and feel valued while building skills needed to become productive adults.
In Romania, 85% of children registered with the government as autistic are not enrolled in school. In rural Barlad, Romania, the percentage is higher especially for children in the Child Protection System. Teachers being poorly prepared to work with autistic children in the typical school environment is a main cause of reduced enrollment. When children are denied an education and age out of child protection they will be moved to an adult institution or turned out to live on the streets.
The Delia Foundation provides 1:1 educational tutoring, speech and behavioral therapies, and life skills training to children who are orphans in foster care. Autistic children in our program have increased language and communication skills and improved both social and academic potential. Home life for families is improved as foster parents are taught how to best communicate and offer their child positive reinforcement.
This project educates teachers and social workers in a region with little support for those with autism. It offers opportunities enabling 200+ children to be integrated into mainstream schooling. By providing life skills and education, these children can become productive adults contributing to their community, find meaningful work, and no longer be at risk of institutionalization. Education inclusion will help erase the stigma, social labeling, and discrimination that currently exists.
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