Therapy and Recovery
- – Mama lui David
In this section
Therapy and Recovery
Background
The Therapy and Recovery program supports the implementation of national and international policies, strategies, and legislation that uphold the rights of children and young people with disabilities. These rights include access to education, rehabilitation, therapy, vocational training, social and professional integration, and the opportunity to reach their full developmental potential.
Since 2007, FARA Foundation has identified a growing need for support among children with physical, learning, sensory, psychological, intellectual, and/or multiple disabilities in the communities where it operates. Many parents face challenges in meeting the complex needs of their children. Early intervention has focused on providing therapy to aid recovery and offering support to families to help them understand and successfully manage the difficulties they encounter in caregiving.
Resources
Program Overview
Purpose
Target Group
Through our activities, we ensure non-discriminatory access to therapy, recovery, education, medical services, and training for social integration within the community, including mainstream education. Our parent counseling services help empower families and prevent abuse and neglect of children with disabilities. By developing partnerships, we ensure efficient use of resources to meet the needs of children with disabilities and their families.
All our actions aim to guarantee dignity, support autonomy, and amplify the voices of our beneficiaries throughout the therapeutic process.
With the support of families and communities that have shown commitment, respect, and altruism, we have established three-day centers:
Over 300 children benefit annually from specialized and individualized services!
Core Service Package
Initial and Periodic Evaluation
Development of individualized educational plans
Monitoring progress, challenges, and evolving needs
Personalized interventions for social and community integration
Psycho-Sensory-Motor Stimulation
Participation in tailored educational activities
Small group sessions
Support for building relationships
Socialization
Recreational activities within the center
Community-based social events
Speech Therapy Sessions
Enhancing understanding and expression of spoken language
Correcting speech disorders
Language development
Harmonizing communication skills to support learning
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Encouraging free movement
Improving physical functionality using specialized equipment
Developing motor skills
Family Support
Guidance for continuing therapy at home
Informational and educational sessions on disability care
Counseling to help families understand their child’s condition and developmental pace
Advocacy Actions
Our efforts focus on:
- Initial Contact
- Preliminary Case
- Assessment (Screening)
- Initial Evaluation
- Service Agreement Signing
- Therapeutic Process
- Implementation
- Final Evaluation and
- Program Exit
Steps in the Therapeutic Process
1. Initial Contact
Parents seeking solutions reach out to FARA Foundation for support.
Our services are recommended by:
- Family doctors
- Specialist physicians (neurologists, psychiatrists)
- Psychologists
- Preschool and school educators
- Our partners (Social Assistance Departments, City Halls, private medical clinics)
- Former and current beneficiaries
- Media channels (FARA website, Facebook, Instagram)
Children arrive at our Therapy and Recovery Centers with a diagnosis already established by a specialist (pediatrician, neuropsychiatrist) and/or a disability classification according to Law no. 448/2006 on the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities.
Types of disabilities: physical, somatic, auditory, visual, intellectual, neuropsychological, associated conditions, rare diseases, deafblindness.
Disability levels: mild (IV), moderate (III), severe (II), profound (I), with or without a personal assistant.
2. Preliminary Case Assessment (Screening)
Cases are assessed based on:
- Specialist recommendation
- Disability classification certificate
- Urgency and need for therapy
- Diagnostic complexity
- Capacity of the therapy center
- Expertise of the therapy team
- Social inquiry from City Hall or FARA Foundation
- Income certificate from ANAF
- Parent’s commitment to ensure the child’s attendance
- Acceptance of service offer, rules, and contract terms
- Interview with parents
If eligibility criteria are met, the child is admitted based on availability. If the center is at full capacity, the child is placed on a waiting list.
3. Initial Evaluation
Once admitted, the child undergoes an internal evaluation by our multidisciplinary team (physiotherapist, speech therapist, psychologist) using:
- Medical history
- Observation
- Interview with parent/legal guardian
- Standardized tests (e.g., ABAS II, Denver, Portage, NEPSY II, Conners 3, Raven, WISC IV, ADIR, ASEBA, CAT, Hamilton, STAI-Y, SCID 5, Smalsy, DDE, Carolina)
Based on results, a personalized intervention plan is created, outlining objectives and actions, reviewed quarterly.
Each child is unique and develops at their own pace. They remain in the program until they reach their maximum potential. Duration varies depending on diagnosis and severity.
4. Service Agreement Signing
5. Therapeutic Process Implementation
Therapy sessions follow the personalized intervention plan. Progress is documented daily in activity logs, reports, and communication notebooks. Monthly monitoring and annual evaluations using specific tests are conducted.
Children may also participate in:
- Recreational and social activities
- Life skills development
- Resilience-building for social and educational inclusion (mainstream or special education)
6. Final Evaluation and Program Exit
The multidisciplinary team conducts a comprehensive evaluation and recommends next steps:
- Continuation of therapy
- Adjustment of therapy to current needs
- Completion of therapy
Day Center Facilities
We support natural development by creating learning environments tailored to each child’s needs, with dedicated therapy spaces:
- Physiotherapy Room with recovery equipment
- Speech Therapy Rooms with educational kits and materials
- Cognitive and Sensory Stimulation Rooms with lights, ambient music, sand tables, relaxation swings, and sensory tools
- Group Therapy Rooms designed for socialization and learning
Library with games, books, and educational materials available for borrowing
Working Method
Therapy begins with building a connection between a child and specialist. Sessions focus on:
- Cognitive stimulation through play
- Educational activities tailored to the child’s needs and development level
- Occupational therapy
- Sensory stimulation
Our multidisciplinary team delivers services:
- In-person at the day center
- Online
- Hybrid
Online therapy became essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. Restrictions pushed us to innovate and find new ways to interact with children. Platforms like Zoom, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and phone calls enabled continued therapy, though not without challenges.
Our specialists guide families in using mobile devices and downloading necessary apps. For families lacking access to technology, FARA provides tablets with internet access. Each center prepared age-appropriate educational kits tailored to service types.
Partners
We collaborate with:
- Local and national public authorities
- Kindergartens, schools, high schools, vocational programs, universities
- Medical practices (family doctors, specialists)
- NGOs
- Private sector through CSR initiatives
- Community members, including professional volunteers
Impact
Children and their achievements are our success stories.
1000+
8%
67%
240
Family Support
18872
1527
113
351