Karen Nachtergaele
Photography

The view from the apartment where Vanya lives. They live in a 2-room apartment on the 10th floor. Their building looks similar to the one you see. 

Vanya sitting on his mattress, watching TV. He plays,jumps, eats,... on his mattress.

The kitchen area in the apartment. Vanya's dad just came home from work and is having a snack before they go on their daily bike tour. Vanya is still in the sink; he likes being there and likes the sensation of the water running over his skin. 

Ahmed - the cat - is around all the time.

Vanya loves running amongst the pigeons. When we were there, an older lady wanted to feed the pigeons; she did not like the fact that Vanya was running around.  

Mom and Vanya during ABA-therapy. His ABA-therapist comes to their home twice a week. She received her education online from an American ABA-therapist and is still being guided by her. Unfortunately, there is no other possibility to become an ABA-therapist in Russia. 

Another stop on the daily bike tour. Vanya goes to the toilet here every day and enjoys watching the fish whilst his dad has a drink. The operators of the establishment know them already.

Vanya and his dad playing.

Vanya received this toy as a reward for the good therapy session. He does not know how to play with it. In no time, the toy was reduced to some mere pieces.

Vanya with his music toy. Music usually calms him down.

Vanya and his dad. On this spot, they sometimes go into the water when the weather is good. It is a quiet spot where not a lot of people come to swim. 

Mark picked tomatoes in the greenhouse and now brings them to the kitchen.

Mark and his mom. She just came home from work. Mark is completing 3 simple puzzles at the same time. Mom tries to challenge him with different activities (puzzles, games,...).

Mark waters the plants. He likes to help with small tasks in and around the house.

Mark likes to do small jobs in the household. Here you see the watering can he used and the tomatoes he picked in the greenhouse. 

Mark eats tomatoes. He does not eat together with his mom but eats when he is hungry. 

Mark loves swimming. They have a swimming pool at home, so he can swim whenever he wants.

No medication has yet been found to cure autism. Mark does take medication because of his epilepsy.

Mark and his mom have a karaoke installation at home. They love singing together. His favorite song is "jingle bells". 

Mark inside the house.

Anya and her dad. She often goes to one of her parents to hug them, to get physical contact.

Anya in front of the house; waiting to go out by car. She has taken her cuddly toy with her. The cuddly toy is the only 'toy' she wants. Her parents have tried to buy new/other dolls and teddy's, but she does not pay any attention to them.

Anya while she is eating. She never eats together with her parents. She eats when she feels hungry. She mostly eats when she is on the couch. Due to her epilepsy, they allow Anya to eat whenever she wants, for when she has a bad period, she sometimes does not eat for 3 days and subsequently loses a lot of weight.

Anya's mom preparing food. Anya is on a gluten-free diet due to health reasons. As often as possible, mom tries to cook healthy and biological food with ingredients from their own garden. 

Anya and her cuddly toy. It is the only doll/teddy she wants. She is really attached to it. Mom had to patch it already several times. Anya cannot stand clothes very well. Inside the house she always undresses herself and walks around naked. Hermom does try to get her dressed several times a day. Whenever they go somewhere, she has to be dressed in loose clothing.

Pictures of Anya.

Anya in the car.She loves being in the car and driving around for a while.

Anya and her mom. Anya often takes her mom to the couch with her. The small moments of hugging each other and spending time together are giving her a safe and peaceful feeling. 

Anya loves being in the car. Her parents often just drive around with her for a while. It is also a motivation for her to be dressed for that period of time.

Anya loves the sea. Her parents drive the car up on the beach and mostly Anya stays in the car to watch the waves rolling upon the beach. Sometimes she gets out of the car for a little while and even goes into the water.