Specialized centers for children and adults suffering from autism spectrum disorders will work in Moldova. The Cabinet approved the framework regulations concerning the organization and functioning of these centers and the minimum quality standards. The centers will be public or private and will be intended for children aged between three and 18 and for young people aged  between 18 and 25, IPN reports.

In a press statement, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection said the centers can be created by the central or local authorities, national and international nongovernmental organizations in coordination with the Ministry. These will provide support to autistic children and adults or persons who can develop autism spectrum disorders. The parents will be assisted in the medical-social rehabilitation, social and educational inclusion of autistic children. Another goal is to prevent abandonment and institutionalization.

The autistic children and adults who will attend the centers will be helped to realize their communication, physical development and adaptation potential through mental health, correction, logopedic, kineto-therapeutic, psycho-pedagogical and psychological services provided by health, social and psycho-pedagogy professionals.

A center will be set up at a cost of 1,452,325 lei. The Ministry of Health sought investment assistance from the development partners in outfitting the centers and training the personnel.

According to the Ministry’s statistics, in Moldova there are about 500 children with autism spectrum disorders.