Karen Nachtergaele

Photographer
In my world
Location: Belgium
Nationality: Belg
Biography: I am Karen Nachtergaele, a Belgian based photographer born in 1984. I've always been a very curious, creative and socially driven person.  I studied occupational therapy in Ghent. My interest in photography started in my mid-twenties. I... MORE
Public Story
In my world
Copyright Karen Nachtergaele 2024
Updated Nov 2013
Topics Autism, Children, Documentary, Family, Human Rights, Isolation, Mental Illness, Photography, Russia, Saint-Petersburg, Youth

Autism is a congenital pervasive developmental disorder, which is characterised by social deficits, communication difficulties and stereotypical or repetitive behaviours and interests. In some cases, there is a cognitive delay as well. The autism prevalence numbers vary from source to source? Although, if we consider the whole group of persons with an autism spectrum disorder (this includes all the 'types' within the spectrum), we can say that approximately 6/1000 people have autism.Furthermore, with a ratio of 4/1, menare the majority group. 

In Russia there generally is a lack of dedicated, appropriate care and there are a lot of social stigmas around autism. The russian society does not accept people with autism and the knowledge they have about the disaese is poor. 

In july 2013 -, I was in Saint-Petersburg and was able to spent time with three families who have an autistic child. I photographed the children in their own environment during their daily routines and interacting with their family memebers. 

"In my world" tries to give the viewer a glimpse inside their lives.

LinkedIn Icon Facebook Icon Twitter Icon
2,892