On March 29, the 3rd annual conference “I Can!” was held in Lviv. It brought together over 200 participants, including parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and specialists who work every day to make the world more accessible, understandable and friendly for children on the spectrum.
The event is not just about knowledge exchange, but a community of people who deeply understand that each child with autism has unique needs, potential, and the right to develop. For many parents, this is a chance to hear answers to important questions, find support and feel that they are not alone.
The Future for Ukraine Foundation has traditionally become the organizing partner of the conference, which is held by the Start Development Center. We managed to create a space where specialists and parents can learn from each other, be inspired and find new solutions to support children with ASD through joint efforts.
This year's program, "I Can!" conference was divided into three sections: ABA, speech therapy, and sensory and motor development. This approach enabled deeper explorations of various aspects of supporting a child, from building effective behavior to developing speech and sensory integration.
- In the ABA section, behavioral analysts shared approaches that help the child reduce behavioral challenges and develop new skills. The practical experience in creating individual programs to improve attention, communication, and social interaction was especially valuable.
- The speech therapy section focused on language profiles of children with ASD, myofunctional therapy, and PROMPT therapy — tools that help a child begin to speak and better understand the language of the environment.
- The listeners of the sensory and motor development section learned how to prepare a child for studying, what role occupational therapy plays in the daily lives of children with autism, and how to determine a child’s neuroreadiness for learning activities.
Occupational therapist Olena Balaniuk, neuropsychologist Valerii Furmanchuk, behavioral analyst Marina Balanganbaieva and 9 other specialists who not only shared their knowledge but also inspired, were among the speakers of the section.
Participants received more than 8 hours of inspiring communication and valuable experience that will help them better understand the children’s needs and work more effectively at home, at school, and in classes.
We are happy to note that the “I Can!” conference is gaining momentum from year to year. This means that society is becoming more aware, support for people on the spectrum is growing, and specialists are getting more opportunities to learn and share experience.
