Kristina Kharatyan

Angelina, my third daughter, seemed like any other child until the age of 1.5. We had good eye contact, she smiled when I drew for her, and she responded when I called her name. She slept well and had a good appetite. The only concern was that her speech was limited. I wasn’t too worried, as I had heard that some children start speaking later than others.
When Angelina began to walk, I noticed that she ran on her toes and her hyperactivity became more noticeable. At the age of 3, she started going to daycare, and that’s when she entered a state of depression. We sought help from a neurologist at Arabkir Medical Center, who referred us to ArBeS healthcare center. There, Angelina was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Speech therapist Kristina Kharatyan and a psychologist started working with her.
Thanks to the professional approach of these specialists, Angelina’s behavior improved. She became calmer and more balanced. She started using words to form phrases, asking questions and responding to others. She resumed attending daycare, later enrolled in a preschool establishment, and eventually started attending school. Throughout this journey, she continued to receive support from her speech therapist and psychologist, and we followed their recommendations closely.
During the sessions, I actively participated, initially by being present and gradually learning all the details to be able to organize similar activities at home. By the end of the therapy, I had gained valuable skills in working with my child, helping her in various situations, and promoting her overall development. These skills hold great value for our entire family.
Angelina is now in grade 4 at school. She can speak and write in Armenian, Russian, and English. She also attends an art club. I am immensely grateful to the specialists who have helped my child integrate into a normal life.

Mia, my second daughter, was born with a congenital heart defect and had surgery when she was just one month old. Until about a year ago, I didn't notice anything unusual, except for her lack of appetite and sitting up independently later than expected. When she turned one, she was scheduled for a cardiac catheterization checkup. During the examinations, several behavioral issues were identified, including fear, anxiety, prolonged crying, and general indifference towards others and her surroundings.
By the time Mia turned two, her speech development had slowed down. At 28 months old, she started attending a preschool center. We worked with different speech therapists until she was four, and we noticed positive changes. Our pediatrician then recommended seeking assistance from ArBeS Health Care Center. Although we initially believed that Mia's difficulties were due to stress, she was diagnosed with autistic symptoms at ArBeS.
We began working with speech therapist Kristina Kharatyan, who employed various methods such as “ABA”, the “Affolter approach”, and “Play therapy”. Additionally, a psychologist employed play therapy and ABA techniques. Thanks to their professional approach, Mia made remarkable progress within a year. She can now answer questions, express her desires, form short sentences, play with her peers, read, and recognize numbers.
Mia recently turned six, and she will be starting school this year. Our collaboration with the specialists continues, and I am immensely grateful and delighted that with their help, Mia can lead a fulfilling life.

My daughter was born in October 2018. I had a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery. Initially, her growth and development followed the expected milestones. However, around 18 months, we noticed a sudden halt and regression in her development. Concerned, we turned to ArBeS Health Care Center for help. The rehabilitation therapist identified signs of autism spectrum disorders and referred us to a psychiatrist who diagnosed a delay in her mental-verbal development with symptoms of autism.
That same month, we began working with speech therapist Kristina Kharatyan. At that time, my daughter showed several concerning behaviors: she wouldn’t respond when called, struggled to follow instructions, couldn’t stay seated, and often cried. Kristina employed various techniques to address these challenges. We started with ABA therapy to correct her behavior and improve her attention and focus. Once progress was made, we introduced play therapy. Throughout this process, I actively participated in the classes and, more recently, have been conducting sessions under the specialist’s guidance.
To address sensory challenges, we utilized the Affolter approach. As the therapy progressed, it became clear that involving specialists from other fields would be beneficial. After an interim assessment by the rehabilitologist, my daughter also began attending classes with a special educator and psychologist. I diligently implemented the assigned tasks at home, striving to maintain the progress achieved.
Over time, my child made significant strides in her development. When we initially sought help, she didn’t respond, make eye contact, point, or speak. Her play was limited, and she hardly interacted with peers. However, today, she understands instructions, promptly responds to her name and seeks eye contact, points, uses gestures, and has already begun imitating sounds and words. Her speech has developed, and her play is now age-appropriate. I am incredibly grateful for the dedication of the specialists and the ongoing progress we’re making. I remain hopeful for continued positive results in my child’s journey.