אותי (ע"ר)

The Israeli Autism Association 'OTI' (formely-The Association for Children at Risk) is Israel’s most veteran and leading organization that provides treatment to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from early age to adulthood. OTI was established in 1990, at a time when no diagnostic or therapeutic solutions for autistic children existed in Israel. The organization’s work is informed by the professional consensus that the earlier ASD treatment is implemented, the better its long-term outcome. For this reason, the organization has been providing children with ASD and their families with diagnostic and therapeutic services as well as emotional support since its establishment. It also pioneered the provision of treatment within the school system. Recently, the association expanded the scope of its programs to also serve young adults with ASD. For 30 years, our organization has been working for the benefit of people with ASD and their families. OTI advocates for their rights, trains therapists, develops and provides integrative treatment methods on the levels of the individual, the family, and the community, advances theoretical-clinical knowledge, and works to increase public awareness of the issue. OTI operates in 300 therapeutic daycare centers, kindergartens, and treatment centers, as well as about 130 afterschool frameworks across the entire country from Kiryat Shmona to Eilat. It works in cooperation with the Israeli healthcare, education and welfare systems, and local authorities. Today, OTI employs over 2,500 professionals from a variety of therapeutic fields including: speech, occupational, and art therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers, behavior analysts, physicians, and specialists in a variety of treatment methodologies (e.g., DIR, ESDM). This professional and dedicated team works day and night for individuals with ASD and their families. They are the organization’s main resource for providing each child, adolescent, and young adult with the services that are specifically tailored to his/her needs. Our work is based on the integrative developmental model, meaning that our staff designs flexible, individual treatment programs, which employ a variety of the most validated interventions. Throughout all of our activities, the individual is the center of the process. The professionals who are involved in his or her care design a specialized program that is best suited to the advancement of the specific person in question. In all of its activities, the association works to strengthen connections between the child or young adult and his/her family, community, and society.