On 30 June 2026, Equilibrium’s Family Centre hosted the second community forum under the Public Agreement for Early Childhood project, bringing together families raising children on the autism spectrum.
It was an exceptionally moving meeting. More than a discussion, it was a space where parents and professionals came together to share experiences, hopes and ideas about how life for children and their families can be improved.
Parents spoke openly about their difficult journey – from the first signs that something might not be right, through the long search for answers, to the moment they finally heard the diagnosis. They shared stories of fear, uncertainty, sleepless nights and countless questions that every family faces along the way.
Yet the most powerful message of the day was something entirely different.
We did not meet people defeated by hardship. We met strong, smiling and inspiring mothers and fathers who, despite everything they have been through, have never lost faith – faith in their children, in themselves and in the future. Parents who, every single day, find new ways to support their children, to learn alongside them and to celebrate every achievement, no matter how small.
This was not a meeting about pity. It was a meeting about respect – respect for the strength of these families, for their unconditional love, and for their determination never to give up.
The discussion did not end with personal stories. Parents also put forward practical recommendations for improving the systems that support children and families.
One of their strongest messages was that families need reliable information and guidance from the very moment they receive a diagnosis. Too often, parents are left alone, unsure where to turn, what services are available or which professionals can support them.
Participants recommended improving the knowledge and training of the professionals who first meet children and their families – general practitioners, paediatricians, nursery and kindergarten staff, as well as teachers and other education professionals. They also called for better coordination between the healthcare, social care and education systems so that support is timely, consistent and centred around the child’s needs.
Another important proposal was the creation of a publicly accessible national information platform that would guide families towards appropriate services, specialists, therapies and available resources. Such a platform would help parents navigate the system without having to face months of uncertainty and confusion on their own.
Parents also highlighted the need for systematic developmental screening in nurseries and kindergartens to ensure that developmental difficulties are recognised as early as possible. They stressed the importance of improving the quality of educational support services so that every child receives assistance tailored to their individual needs.
These were only some of the many thoughtful recommendations shared during the forum. Together with the ideas gathered through the other community forums across the country, they will be brought together and presented to local and national decision-makers as part of the Public Agreement for Early Childhood.
We believe that the best decisions for young children begin by listening to the people who care for them every day. That is why this project is built from the bottom up – bringing together the experiences, concerns and ideas of families and communities and turning them into recommendations for public institutions. Lasting change happens when policies are shaped with people, not simply for them.
The project is supported by the Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme under the Civil Society Engagement and Transparency Facility (CETF) 2024–2029. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and participants and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the Governments of Switzerland or Bulgaria.
