Parent communities and NGOs in Bulgaria: where to find support and other parents
Parent communities in Bulgaria that deal with autism have existed for years, but they are not easy to find on a first search. Below is what we could verify from organizations' websites and publications, and a note on what we could not. Seeking support is nothing to be ashamed of and does not mean giving up on therapy: a parent needs backing as much as a child needs sessions.
Organizations we could verify
Association Autism (the "Asotsiatsiya Autizam" association) was one of the initiators of the Center for Social Rehabilitation and Integration with a priority on the autism spectrum. According to the center's history on its site, it is a municipal structure opened in March 2007 as a project of Sofia Municipality and the Association. The center offers therapeutic and counseling work for children, young people and adults, helps relatives and supports their social network. The organization is active now: its news page describes the project "City Code" (June to November 2026, 30 participants) and the eVeR safe project, running since 2024. The center's phone is 02 920 24 93.
The association "Autism Today" together with the foundation "Step for the Invisible Children of Bulgaria" works on therapy for children. According to the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the association has run therapy centers in Sofia, Pleven and Burgas since 2015. According to BTA, the Pleven center opened in October 2018 as the first outside the capital and the only one for Northern Bulgaria. The chair of the association and foundation, Vladislava Tsolova, is herself the mother of a boy with autism. Current addresses, prices and waiting lists we could not confirm: contact the organization directly for fresh information.
What we could not confirm
Bulgarian information about organizations is scattered and some sources are old, so we name only what we found on websites and in dated news. If someone names another community or foundation, check it yourself: find the official page, a phone number and the date of the latest news. Organizations registered as non-profits can be looked up in the Registry Agency portal, and social services in your municipality can be clarified at the Social Assistance Agency and the municipal social services office.
Why support from other parents is part of therapy, not a replacement
A parent who copes alone tires faster, and tiredness shows in sessions at home. What burnout looks like and what to do about it is in our pieces on parent burnout. Parents are involved in behavioral therapy itself: how that works is described in parent coaching in ABA. Other parents will tell you what documents do not: what enrollment looks like, who is better to go to in your area, how to get through the queue.
How to find a community nearby or online
- Call one of the centers above with a specific question about your situation: even if the help does not fit, they can point you to where to go.
- Ask the municipal social services office and your regional insurance office which organizations work in your area. We wrote about the support system in TELK and benefits.
- Ask a specialist in your city whether they have a parent group, and check our piece on Bulgarian cities.
- In online groups, verify advice: check any treatment advice against myths about autism treatment.
How Sense Behavior helps families in Bulgaria
We involve parents in the program and do not treat family support as secondary. You can start with a free thirty-minute consultation, and afterwards we will suggest which Bulgarian services are worth adding alongside a remote program, as described in ABA therapy in Bulgaria.