The Include and Empower Parents of Children with Autism in Education (IPCA)  empowerment project supports 40 children with autism, intellectual disability and developmental delay to improve the livelihood of their families, to overcome stigmatisation and marginalisation and to be active and included members in their communities. This may help to improve their livelihood and prospects in education. IPCA is implemented in 3 provinces (Vientiane, Champasak, Savannakhet) and the intervention follows two main approaches: (1) awareness raising and dissemination of knowledge about disability rights and ASD and (2) introduction of basic education techniques and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). This is combined with themed discussion groups where experienced parents/caretakers and teachers of autism centres are trained as local network coordinators and counselors aiming to offer these service on a local basis, improving the sustainability of the approach.

The project involved 116 participants through various activities. Initially, the project developed a training manual on basic education techniques and AAC, including teaching aids, and trained parents and teachers on these topics. A Training of Trainers (ToT) on Autism Sport was also included. Moreover, the project organised regular themed discussions, that offered opportunities in connection with the empowerment of people with ASD and their families and helped to identify more children with ASD. 

“We will continue to expand our provincial network and continue building capacity for a person with autism, parents, and people in the community” – AFA team. 

AFA noticed the interest of those who participated in the activities, especially the teachers from the inclusive schools. A representative from HatHae Primary school expressed his feelings in the project’s final workshop. He wanted to see AFA doing more activities with the school and children with autism. He noticed that students with autism who have been trained at our centre were able to learn well with other students. He was also happy to attend the AFA training together with parents on how to handle the behaviours of students with autism. 

The representative of the Education Division from Savannakhet province also expressed her gratitude to be part of the activities. She was impressed with parents’ efforts to look after children with autism and wanted AFA to inspire more parents in the province. During the workshop, the participants also discussed the idea of setting up a transitory classroom at government schools to prepare students with autism and other special needs before joining regular schooling. Moreover, AFA also noticed the interest of parents in Luangprabang province to have an autism centre there as well as an AFA branch. 

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Parents, teachers and French experts after the workshop