Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian visited Luse and My Way centers on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day

On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, the spouse of the President of Armenia Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian visited today Luse and My Way rehabilitation centers.

First, Nouneh Sarkissian visited the Luse center of the Yerevan, My Love Foundation where she was informed on the activities of the center and the ongoing programs. She conversed with the children with limited abilities and their parents and stressed the importance of breaking the existing stereotypes.

“In Soviet times, when we encountered people with disabilities, we would stare at them because they were different and families were trying to hide them. Now, things are different. When my grandchildren see a kid with a disability, whey run up and try to help because they are used to it, their education is different and persons with disabilities are not hiding any more. It means that we came to understand that these people are part of our society,” Nouneh Sarkissian said.

The spouse of the President of Armenia visited also My Way educational and rehabilitation center which currently has 182 kids with autism. Nouneh Sarkissian toured the premise of the center, familiarized with the conditions, conversed with the kids, their parents, and caretakers.

She hailed the activities of the center and underscored that centers like this one constantly need support of individuals, charity organizations, and the state.
“People, who have no autism, should speak the same language with the people who have it. Don’t demand that they become like others - they are different, they see us, the world, themselves in a different way. We need to try to understand them. Almost all children with autism possess this or that kind of a talent, a gift.

An important mission of this center is to disclose talents hidden in the children and individuals which is very difficult. Therapists and caretakers need to have special abilities to reveal those talents,” Nouneh Sarkissian said. She thanked the center for their dedication and kind work and noted that she was ready to help them.

In 2008, the General Assembly of the Organization of the United Nations (UN) declared April 2 World Autism Awareness Day.