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Supporting Families Through NDBIs in Albania: A Conversation with Enron Seiti
About This Episode
In this inspiring episode—the first of 2025—Dr. Jamie Hughes-Lika welcomes international guest Enron Seiti from Tirana, Albania. Enron shares the incredible work being done at the Help the Life Association, a nonprofit parent-founded organization dedicated to providing services and support to children with developmental disabilities and their families. With more than 25 years of impact, Enron reflects on the organization's evolution, the challenges of service delivery in Albania, and how Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs), particularly the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), are transforming care for young autistic children in the region.
DISCLAIMER that if you want CEUs, you must click here (button), which will direct them to the Thinkific sign-in page
Key Topics Covered:
From Grassroots to National Impact: How Help the Life Association grew from a small parent initiative to a multisite NGO operating across five Albanian cities.
Early Intervention Evolution: The organization's journey from serving older children to embracing early intervention and developmentally focused care.
Discovering ESDM: The team’s self-taught introduction to the Early Start Denver Model and how it became a cornerstone of their programming.
Changing Perceptions: Navigating cultural expectations around academic achievement vs. developmental milestones in autism support.
Empowering Parents: The power of parent involvement in therapy, training, and decision-making—and how it accelerates child progress.
Shifting Staff Mindsets: Challenges in training professionals accustomed to traditional ABA to embrace the creativity and flexibility of NDBIs.
Building Community Understanding: How outreach, translated materials, and public education are helping reduce stigma and increase access in Albania.
Favorite Quote:
"NDBIs just make proper sense—it’s playful, natural, and it fits how young children actually learn." – Enron Seiti
About Our Guest Speaker
Episode Resources
The Help the Life Association in Albania
Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
Parent coaching and home programs
Potential for translated NDBI materials for dissemination across Albanian-speaking communities
Why You Should Listen:
This episode is a powerful testament to what’s possible when passion, evidence-based practice, and grassroots advocacy come together. Whether you’re a parent, professional, or policymaker, Enron’s story highlights the importance of access, flexibility, and family-centered approaches in early autism intervention—no matter where in the world you live.
DISCLAIMER that if you want CEUs, you must click here (button), which will direct them to the Thinkific sign-in page