Katerina Thorova
Ashoka Fellow since 2012   |   Czech Republic

Katerina Thorova

APLA
Katerina Thorova connects fragmented and separated resources through comprehensive infrastructure in the Czech Republic to bring visibility to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the wider family of…
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This description of Katerina Thorova's work was prepared when Katerina Thorova was elected to the Ashoka Fellowship in 2012.

Introduction

Katerina Thorova connects fragmented and separated resources through comprehensive infrastructure in the Czech Republic to bring visibility to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the wider family of pervasive development disorders (PDD). Katerina’s organization professionalizes the field throughRead more

The New Idea

Katerina is providing comprehensive support to people with autism and their families through a system of interventions that has come to define the field of autism in the Czech Republic. Katerina founded the Association in Aid of Persons with Autism (APLA) as an open and responsive hub thatRead more

The Problem

There is an estimated 200 million people with intellectual disabilities worldwide. Autism is among the cognitive disabilities whose incidence is on the rise. And, absent of excellent intervention, it marginalizes and excludes the people who have it from full engagement in economic, civic, andRead more

The Strategy

APLA has multiple pillars that uniquely define its approach. Clinically, APLA focuses on early identification of autism, which was non-existent in the Czech Republic before APLA. APLA educates pediatricians, clinical and child psychologists, speech therapists, and, of course, its own staff aboutRead more

The Person

Katerina’s first experience with autism took place during her childhood as a result of her autistic brother. During her study of clinical psychology she decided to learn more about her brother’s disorder and dedicate her thesis to ASD. At this time in the mid 1990s, Czech Republic lacked a supportRead more

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