Vardan likes playing music, but with an unusual approach, different from academic education. He knows the notes, but he hardly needs to glance at them due to his phenomenal, almost extraordinary memory. Emotional connection with music is very important to him. His journey began at the age of 5 when he started attending the International Center for Child Development, which now is the “My Way” Socio-Habilitation, Educational, and Vocational Training Day Care Center of the Autism National Foundation. Marina Meliksetyan, the music therapist who recognised Vardan’s unique abilities, utilized them as a bridge to transition him from his enclosed world to a different reality. Through years of dedicated efforts by experts, parents, and “My Way” center’s partner Viva-MTS, Vardan progressed from music therapy to the Music College named after Romanos Melikyan, and then to the Komitas State Conservatory.
“I have been teaching at the Conservatory for thirty years and have had numerous students in various capacities. Each of them requires a unique approach. Vardan is the first one with whom communication was different. I didn’t know how to handle professional issues effectively. Then I realized that he is an exceptionally gifted boy, he has fantastic abilities and memory, he perceives emotional information very well. He grasps even the hand movements accompanying musical phrases at once. I believe I have found a special mode of communication with him. If we succeed in preparing and performing Bach’s famous concerto with the orchestra, it will be a miracle,” expressed Ernest Mangulyan, a lecturer at the Conservatory.
For 17 years, Viva-MTS has been supporting the center dealing with children with autism. Over these 17 years, the Company has invested more than 246 million drams. “My Way” started its operations in 2006, assisting 5 families with 5 specialists. Today, 200 children attend the center, with an additional 12 from Artsakh. 60 specialists provide educational and medical support, including speech, art, music, occupation, sand therapies, etc. Employees undergo regular trainings to achieve maximum results. A significant milestone for the center is the observable changes in student’s perception of the world and the growing number of children who are becoming more communicative. The center’s motto is “I’m not like you, I’m one of you.”
“It would be difficult to work in this field without loving it. Every obstacle we’ve faced, we have tackled together with the support of colleagues and parents. Viva’s commitment has always been consistent and enduring. The greatest reward is in this continuity. We have students learning and working at Terlemezyan. During these years, we have witnessed numerous success stories. I must emphasize the invaluable role of partnerships, with Viva-MTS being one of the most crucial,” stated Lilit Atajanyan, director of the National Autism Foundation.
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“My Way” center offers age-specific therapies and professional trainings to children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. It lays the foundation for their further development and integration into society, providing them with future job opportunities.
