VietNamNet Bridge – Teachers and therapists from schools and hospitals around the country on Monday resumed training in practical autism intervention skills.

saigonchildren continues to collaborate with experts to provide advanced training to selected trainees in intervention for children with autism. — Photo Courtesy of saigonchildren

They had started training last year as part of a three-year project, “Early Intervention for Children with Autism”, co-ordinated by the Saigon Children’s Charity CIO (saigonchildren).

In its second year the project focuses on enabling key lecturers and teachers to work closely with parents of autistic children through practical coaching sessions.

There are also two workshops for parents on July 11 and 18.

With financial support from Bleach Family for the first two years and the Lufthansa Help Alliance for the final year, all trainees and parents are offered free training and workshops by leading experts in the field.

It is also a valuable opportunity for parents, teachers and specialists to exchange information with senior clinical specialists from the UK on early treatment, phonetic therapy and behaviour management for children with autism.

Saigonchildren said in a release that autism is a developmental disorder which affects language and communication and often leads autistic people to live isolated lives.

However, if autism is diagnosed and addressed early, children can go on to develop their full potential and integrate into society.

In HCM City, reports from psychiatric clinics at paediatrics hospitals show that the number of children diagnosed with autism has skyrocketed from 2,563 in 2012 to around 200,000 last year.

Despite a growing demand for appropriate intervention for children with autism, there has not been consistent guidance for teachers and parents on how to best support these children, which is why, saigonchildren said, it has been working with international experts in autism and specialists from across Vietnam to develop a new approach.

The three-year project is a joint initiative with the National College of Education HCMC and OWL Therapy Centre. 

Source: VNS