Andrei's Story:

Andrei has been diagnosed from the age of 2 with infantile (or childhood) autism, a severe form of autism with low chances of ever getting recovered. Before joining Copiii de Cristal, Andrei attended for 10 years a special school. In all that time his condition improved. Unfortunately, he could not continue going to the special school anymore and therefore, after a short period, his behaviour got worse and worse.

Andrei's parents are divorced, but still in good touch to each other. They moved from Focsani to Brasov especially for Copiii de Cristal, for Andrei to have better hopes to improve his condition. Both of them work a lot to withstand their family situation, however the children live only with their father. Andrei's young brother is autistic as well, but on much more sever spectrum and thus, he joins another centre's therapies.

Andrei is non-verbal with a long list of behavioural problems, supplemented often by aggressive reactions. The latter is triggered often whenever things are not happening the way he wants. At home he gets full attention and sometimes is being spoiled, whereas at the centre every young adult is being treated equally.He is not the type to participate in group activities, but he clearly has the potential to improve his social behaviour. On the other hand, he is very intelligent and can easily follow examples which, going forward, he can reproduce at any time.

With a lot to catch up, every therapy session therefore is crucial for Andrei to correct his behavioural issues and keep learning, with small steps, simple skills in communications, socialising  and self care that are the basics for everyday life.