Founder
Vladislava Tsolova
Vladislava Tsolova is the chairperson of the Autism Today Association and the director of the ABA Centers for Behavioral and Comprehensive Therapy “Autism Today” in Bulgaria. She is a financier and lawyer with over 15 years of experience in banking and is a PhD candidate in the doctoral program "Finance, Insurance, and Social Security" at the Department of Finance and Insurance.
She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management, a Master’s degree in Psychology, and a Master’s degree in Educational Management.
Vladislava Tsolova has substantial organizational and managerial experience, including conducting campaigns and training, managing projects, and creating and developing childcare facilities. She has been a member of the Public Council to the Committee for Interaction with Civil Organizations in the National Assembly (since 2013). She is a member of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum, NASO, and the European Autism Europe, among others. As of March 18, 2023, she has been elected Chair of the National Patient Organization (NPO), an alliance of over 65 organizations in Bulgaria, and was re-elected at the annual general meeting in June 2023.
Vladislava Tsolova founded the ABA Centers for Behavioral and Comprehensive Therapy “Autism Today” in 2015, making Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) a reality in Bulgaria and fulfilling a long-standing dream for generations of parents of children with autism in Bulgaria.
She is also the initiator and creator of the Autism Today Association, an organization of parents, specialists, and public figures founded in 2014.
For eight years, Autism Today has dedicated every day to supporting, developing, and improving the lives of children with autism through professional educational assistance, care, and love. Autism Today is a symbol of high professional standards in working with children with autism, offering hope and support to parents, and providing high-quality services that ensure an independent and dignified life for children with autism in Bulgaria.
Currently, the association has four specialized centers for professional assistance (two in Sofia, one in Pleven, and one in Burgas) for children with autism, where more than 200 children monthly and over 1,000 children annually and their families receive the highest quality therapeutic support.
Vladislava Tsolova is also the founder of Montessori Kindergarten Planet Bulgaria, which aims to create a completely new and innovative educational institution in Pleven, operating according to the standards and requirements of the Ministry of Education, fully compliant with the educational plans and programs of the Ministry of Education, but using the principles and golden rules of Montessori pedagogy, so that in a playful, free, and completely innovative way, all children, including those with developmental issues, acquire life skills while meeting state educational requirements and gaining the necessary knowledge and skills for school readiness, for which they receive a certificate from the kindergarten, licensed with License from the Ministry of Education 269/2.07.2020.
Vladislava Tsolova was born in Pleven and graduated from Geo Milev Mathematical High School in Pleven. She is a financier and lawyer with over 15 years of experience in banking, a master’s degree in human resources, and a psychologist.
She is a PhD candidate in the doctoral program "Finance, Insurance, and Social Security" at the Department of Finance and Insurance and has significant organizational and managerial experience in organizing campaigns, training—professional, qualification, and certification, project management, and building and managing childcare facilities.
She is a specialist in crisis management and handling crisis situations.
- Member and active participant in the working group for drafting the Law on School and Preschool Education since 2010, appointed by the Minister of Education, which has been in effect since August 1, 2016.
- Member of the Public Council to the Committee for Interaction with Civil Organizations in the National Assembly since 2013.
- Member of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum since 2015.
- Member of Autism Europe since 2016.
- Member of the National Patient Organization since 2015.
- Alternate member of the Children's Treatment Fund since 2017.
- Member of NASO.
- Chair of the "Mental Health" section in the National Patient Organization since 2022.
- Chair of the National Patient Organization since April 2023.
Behavioral Therapist / Social Pedagogue / Master's Degree in Speech and Language Pathology at NBU
Desislava Vasileva
I graduated from VelikoTarnovo University "St. Cyril and Methodius" majoring in Social Pedagogy, with an additional qualification in the Philosophical Cycle.
I started working at the Center for Applied Behavior Analysis in Pleven as a behavioral therapist and social pedagogue a little over a year ago.
I knew this was the job for me; I felt it with my heart. Children with autism are the eighth wonder of the world to me.
These little suns, illuminating this cold world, make you smile at every coming morning.
Being part of the life of a child with autism is a privilege for me. Now I know that I have been significant in my life, that with my help, a child has said "mom" to their mother, has sat calmly in their chair, and has eaten with their family. It is an honor for me to work at the "Autism Today" Association!
Certificates from completed trainings:
2023 - Working with Children with SEN. Specifics of working with children from the autism spectrum.
2020 - Autism Explained: 2020 Summit
2020 - Occupational Therapy for Students with Autism Through the Telehealth Lens
2019 - First International Conference "Autism is not a Sentence"
2019 - 40-Hour Online Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Training program
Psychologist / Behavioral Therapist
Maria Anastasova
My name is Maria Anastasova, and I am a psychologist at the "Autism Today" Association.
I graduated with a Master's degree in "Developmental Psychology and Psychopathology" in 2015 from Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar".
I feel incredibly fortunate to have found my place here.
My work and efforts are given meaning every day as I witness the individual progress of each of our children.
Occupational Therapist / Behavioral Therapist
Victoria Petkova
My name is Victoria Petkova. I graduated in Medical Rehabilitation and Occupational Therapy from the Medical University of Pleven in 2021.
Working with children makes me happy. Every day, these little ones fill me with positive energy, and together we achieve successes. It is an honor and pleasure for me to be part of the Autism Today Association team!
Occupational Therapist
Svetlana Raykova
Hello, My name is Svetlana Raykova.
I graduated in Occupational Therapy from Medical University - Pleven in 2013 and continued with a Master's program in Adapted Physical Activity at the National Sports Academy - Sofia.
It is a true pleasure and calling for me to have the opportunity to work at the Autism Today Association, where I meet these sunny children every day. Each of them gives me incredible experiences, and together we have fun!
Pedagogue / Behavioral Therapist
Galq Borisova
My name is Galq Borisova. I graduated in Music Education Pedagogy from Neofit Rilski South-West University, and later completed a degree in Pedagogy of Educational Activities at St. Cyril and St. Methodius University.
I chose the Autism Today Association because it is a personal cause for me—one that gives and teaches a lot. It brings satisfaction, hope, love, and strength.
It teaches humility, patience, and the ability to appreciate the little things—a small step for us, but a big step for the children and their families. It's unique and irreplaceable!
Pedagogue / Behavioral Therapist
Katrin Milenova Tsvetkova
My name is Katrin Milenova Tsvetkova. I study Early and Preschool Education at St. Cyril and St. Methodius University.
Working at "Autism Today" brings me daily pleasure, satisfaction, and makes me feel significant! It brings satisfaction, hope, love, and strength.
The work teaches humility, patience, and how to appreciate the little things. The joy of progress in every child is irreplaceable.
Pedagogue / Behavioral Therapist
Denitsa Pavlinova Hristova
Hello, my name is Denitsa Pavlinova Hristova.
I graduated from Veliko Tarnovo University with a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and a Master's degree in Political Science and National Security.
I chose to work at the "Autism Today" association to be able to be useful and satisfied every day with my work. It is a pleasure to see how the child progresses every day, and for me to be their pillar towards progress.
