How it started
Ivan was born on November 17, 2021 in Kaliningrad. From the first months we noticed he avoided eye contact, didn’t respond to his name, and showed no interest in speech. He didn’t start talking at the expected age, and we suspected hearing loss. After an audiometry test confirmed normal hearing, we turned to the "Prodviženie" clinic in Kaliningrad.
At 2.5 years old Ivan was diagnosed with early childhood autism. That’s when our real journey began.
The "Rebus" Center
At the "Prodviženie" clinic there is a special education center called "Rebus", which has become a second home for Ivan. Here he works with specialists using the Denver early intervention model, PECS cards, and ABA therapy. A psychologist and a developmental physical education teacher also work with him.
We are gradually learning to dress and undress, ask for help, eat and drink independently, use the toilet, control emotions. Ivan can already say a few words and is learning to sustain attention.
Our milestones
- ✅ Autumn 2023 – hearing test, ruled out hearing loss
- ✅ March 2024 – ASD diagnosis at "Prodviženie" clinic
- ✅ September 2024 – started at "Rebus", first PECS cards
- ✅ January 2025 – first word "mama"
- ?? 2026 – learning to dress, request drinks, use cards
What Ivan loves
Ivan is a very cheerful boy. His main interests are numbers, sharks, and dinosaurs. He loves playing with water and sand. At home we use PECS cards to structure the daily routine: every activity (brushing teeth, breakfast, going for a walk) is visually confirmed, which helps him a lot.