The fact that there are no institutions that would train and accredit specialists in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a big disadvantage given that in other countries this therapy produces the best results among therapies applied to children and teens with autism spectrum disorders. In a response to an inquiry by IPN News Agency, the Ministry of Health says there are no certified specialists in ABA therapy in Moldova and a graduate of the Faculty of Psychology cannot afford such specialization, which costs €10,000–12,000.
A specialist can obtain the right to apply ABA therapy if this graduated from the Faculty of Psychology and completed master’s degree studies. One can specialize in ABA therapy in the U.S., the UK, Israel and other countries. The candidates should also sign a supervision contract with a specialist accredited in ABA therapy. Under the guidance of this, the trainees must attend 1,500 practical lessons in ABA therapy to be certified.
Asked what measures the Ministry of Health takes in relation to autistic children, the authority specified that the plan of action for implementing the national mental health program for 2017-2021 envisions the working out of quality standatds and mechansims for financang services for chidlren with autism spectrum disorders.
According to the data presented by the National Health Management Center, 366 patients diagnosed with autism were under the supervision of psychiatrists, including community mental health centers of public primary medical assistance institutions, in 2016. Of these, 349 were children younger than 18. Currently, in Chisinau there are two centers that provide ABA therapy services. These centers’ specialists have knowledge of psycho-pedagogy and are specialized in working with children with disabilities. The supervisor specialist studies in the U.S. from a distance in order to be accredited in ABA therapy.
Earlier, Aliona Dumitras, executive director of the public association “SOS Autism”, told a news conference that an hour of ABA therapy costs 120 lei and the sessions are fully paid by parents. In other states, the costs are subsidized by the state, while in Moldova the psychological and financial burden is borne by the parents. “SOS Autism” member Olga Guzun, who has an autistic child, said a child with an autism spectrum disorder needs at least two hours of such therapy daily. The autistic child needs therapy throughout life and the financial burden is very great. The association includes parents who sold their houses in village and came to live in rented accommodations in Chisinau in order to have access to the existing therapy services.
