LA support program for children with autism forcibly displaced from Artsakh

On the very first days of 2BHappy, we started working with experts from Armenia and Artsakh, Nanoor Shahin, a psychologist and member of the board of the 2BHappy nonprofit organization, told Alpha News.

“April is very important for people with autism. April is Autism Awareness Month. We started the work of 2BHappy in 2019 in Los Angeles. From the very first days, we started working with experts from Armenia and Artsakh. Although there are many good specialists and psychologists in Armenia, unfortunately, there is a lot of work to be done in terms of behavioral analysis. Our main goal is to give both children and young people with autism and other special needs the opportunity to become full members of society,” Shahin said.

She said that a new program is being organized in Los Angeles to help children with autism who were forcibly displaced from Artsakh.

“Before the forced exodus, there was a center with 500 children in Artsakh. We helped them, not financially, but there was always an exchange of professional experience and free training and courses. We also worked with parents. There were cases when the family contacted us, and we provided them with contacts of that center. After the events in Artsakh, these families were resettled in Yerevan and the provinces, but we know that they do not receive any behavioral analysis help, and this raises concerns.

If the work is not continuous, we will not achieve the result we are striving for. In particular, go to school, find a job. Here in Los Angeles, we are organizing a new program aimed at helping children with autism who were forcibly displaced from Artsakh. Our compatriots from all over the world can participate in this program because every cent is important for the work we do,” she said.