David’s Story: Inclusive Education
The story of one exceptional child from Moldova shows how access to education improves the lives of children with disabilities.
David’s Story: Inclusive Education
The story of one exceptional child from Moldova shows how access to education improves the lives of children with disabilities.
David was diagnosed with autism when he was 2 and didn’t start speaking until he was almost 4. His first words were in English, despite Russian and Romanian being the languages spoken in his home. He learned English from his brother’s “Magic English” CDs.
“David is not very different from other children,” his mother, Livia said. “He just needs some support.”
Changing the Way We Care, along with our partners in Moldova, seeks to change how we care for children and families like David’s. In Moldova, this means working with governments, civil society, and faith communities to strengthen national care systems to provide support for children with disabilities and their families, improve policies that prioritize family care for children, and support inclusive services for all children, ensuring children with disabilities can attend school.
Changing the Way We Care, along with our partners in Moldova, seeks to change how we care for children and families like David’s. In Moldova, this means working with governments, civil society, and faith communities to strengthen national care systems to provide support for children with disabilities and their families, improve policies that prioritize family care for children, and support inclusive services for all children, ensuring children with disabilities can attend school.
Livia enrolled David in a public school in second grade. He has an Individual Education Plan and Livia attends classes with him as a parental assistant. In the afternoon, David and Livia attend classes at a day center where David can socialize with other children with similar disabilities. The children learn new skills such as cooking and receive support from speech and occupational therapists.
A recent report found increasing support among the Moldovan public for inclusive education. However, many teachers and parents remain reluctant about the inclusion of children with disabilities in the classroom. For Livia, and other parents with children with disabilities, ensuring their child’s right to education is the key to a better future. “All children have the same rights,” Livia said. “Our society needs to learn to accept them.”
David now speaks Russian and Romanian at home and is learning English and French. Livia credits his ability to attend school for his incredible progress over the last few years.
“We have four things we don’t say in our family, ‘I don’t want, I don’t understand, I can’t, and I don’t know,’” Livia said. “I am a strict mother and I have as high expectations for David as I do for my other son.”