Australian Aid (DAP) Project
Meaningful Participation and Inclusion of Person with Autism in Nepal
Direct Aid Project- Australian Aid
Introduction
This Meaningful Participation and Inclusion of Person with Autism in Nepal- Australian Aid is 18 months (January 2023- June 2024) project. The primary objective of this project is, to promote meaningful participation and inclusive in society for Person 0with Autism (PWAs). To achieve this goal, we implement a school awareness and sensitization program in 10 different mainstream schools in Nepal. Our project’s central focus is on strengthening autism inclusive clubs.
Our comprehensive approach includes a range of program such as autism awareness campaigns, advocacy efforts, workshop, and re-creational activities, all designed to facilitate the integration of PWAs into society. Additionally, we have to plan to have the re-functional assessment of Adult with autism. Vocational strategic plan will developed to offer AWA opportunities to engage in various interested based vocational and job orientation programs. This will encompass expanding vocational activities like bakery and chocolate making.
Furthermore, we will explore o the job training program beyond the organization to facilitate the inclusion of AWA in workplaces. To enhance the learning experience for PWAs, we will implement necessary transition in schools, moving from low-tech to Hi- Tech approaches to make educational activities more accessible.
Accomplished Activities:
- Adult with autism acquire and enhance various vocational skills, fostering independency and self-sufficiency in Aakar Vocational Unit under the Expanding vocational project activities. The expansion of vocational activities for adults with autism can lead to a multitude of positive outcomes, enriching their lives and contributing to a more inclusive and supportive society.
- Special Educators have conducted a functional reassessment for 9 Adult with Autism, aiming to comprehensively evaluate their skills, abilities and area of growth within vocational activities. Ultimately, this will enhancing their overall experience and promoting their personal development, empowering them to lead more meaningful lives.
- Autismcare Nepal Society has visited 3 three Montessori’s schools under the School Health Program for Inclusion of CWAs at mainstream school.
Top of Form
- ACNS have published an article in Apangata Aawaz magazine with aim of raising awareness and advocating for a cause. We have conducted the workshop & Meeting of Autism Inclusive Club # Embrace Autism # on 2nd September 2023. More than 50 participants, comprising adult with autism, parents, siblings, professionals and caregivers , convened with specific objective of promoting the social inclusion of PWAs.
- Autism Care Nepal Society conducted various training and workshop under the Transformation of teaching learning platform low to high tech.
Conclusion: The project has set a strong foundation for the successful implementation of our goals. This project has promising and significant strides on expanding vocational opportunities and inclusiveness for person with autism. We are committed to creating a more inclusive and supportive society for person with autism in Nepal.
ACTIVITIES ACCOMPLISHED DURING 2015
AutismCare Nepal Society in joint collaboration with WEAN Cooperative organization successfully conducted 4 days Paper Product Making Advance Training form 2nd June to 5th June 2015. The training was conducted by the trainer of WEAN cooperative Mrs. Aarati Nepal. During the training session the participants; parents and teachers of children with autism were trained about box making, notebook making and frame making using the Nepali handmade papers. On the last day of program, 5th June 2015, there was certificate distribution to all participants by the Chairperson of AutismCare Nepal Society, Dr. Sunita Maleku Amatya. There were altogether 15 participants including parents, teachers and 1 children with autism.
ACNS organized 2 days occupational therapy workshop and training for teachers and parents of CWAs under DAP project on 3rd and 4th March 2015 respectively. The training session was conducted by the Occupational Therapist, Mrs. Jackie Springtorpe, Paediatric Occupational Therapist and Advanced Practitioner in Sensory Integration. There were altogether 22 participants in teachers group and 25 participants in parents group.
Autism Care Nepal Society in collaboration with WEAN Multipurpose Co-operative jointly organized the 3 days training on Advance Candle Making Training from 16th to 18th March, 2015. There were altogether 18 participants including the parents and teachers of Children with Autism. The main purpose of the training is to gain vocational skills by parents and teachers and transfer the learned skills to person with Autism in near future.
ACNS organized the 2 days vocational training program (Paper pencil and envelope making) on 11th and 12th February at ACNS premises to train person with autism and parents and teachers of children with autism to enhance vocational skills to train their children in near future.
Teachers, Parents and staff members of ACNS visited to Women’s dream organization, Baluwatar, Kathmandu on 11th January 2015 for organizational visit for vocational training on Paper Pencil Making for strengthening pre vocational units. During the program there was participation of 15 participants along with Trainers and Trainees. Mainly the parents and teachers got opportunities to learn about how to make paper pencil and the learnt skill will be transfer to the person with autism and adolescent with autism with in the centre.
AutismCare Nepal Society (ACNS) organized the “Orientation and Training Program on Occupational Therapy and Autism” to enhance knowledge and skills of parents and teachers of Children with Autism on 5th January 2015 at ACNS premises. There were participations of about 38 participants including, Children with autism and their parents, teachers, board members, staffs and caretakers.
AutismCare Nepal Society (ACNS) organized the “Orientation and Training Program on Occupational Therapy and Autism” under DAP project to enhance knowledge and skills of parents and teachers of Children with Autism on 5th January 2015 at ACNS premises. There were participations of about 38 participants including, Children with autism and their parents, teachers, board members, staffs and caretakers.During the training session, the welcome speech was given by Mr. RajKaji Prajapati, Chief Administrator of ACNS. Similarly, the training session was jointly conducted by Ms. Kripa Shrestha, Parent and Child Trainer; Ms. Alina Risal, Occupational Therapy Assistant and Mr. Surendra Bajracharya, Project Coordinator of ACNS.
ACTIVITIES ACCOMPLISHED DURING 2014
AutismCare Nepal Society (ACNS) Organized one day Vocational Training Program on 21th Dec. 2014 at ACNS premises. During the training there was the active participation of 16 members including our Pre-vocational trainer and other staffs of ACNS participated actively. The training was mainly focused on to candle making which would be helpful for the better production in near future.
AutismCare Nepal Society (ACNS) Organized one day Vocational Training Program on 14th Dec. 2014 at ACNS premises. During the training our Pre-vocational trainer as well as other staffs of ACNS participated actively. The training was mainly focused on to operate the Loom effectively which would be helpful for the better production in near future.
ACNS Teachers and Staff memberS visited to Patan CBRO(Community Based Rehabilitation Organization) for observation of Vocational Unit and Skills Learning on 9th Dec.2014.the visit was mainly focused on learning vocational skills to train the teachers of ACNS and transfer the skill to PWAS (Persons with Autism) in near future.
The Australian Delegation team from Australian Embassy visited AutismCare Nepal Society (ACNS) for Inauguration Program of Pre- Vocational and Occupational Therapy Units which was supported and renovated with the grant provided by Direct Aid Program (DAP), Australian Embassy. The name list of Australian delegation team were as follows:
Mr. Bryce Hutchesson, First Assistant Secretary South and West Asia Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia
Mr. Peter Michael Kakogiannis, Executive Officer South and West Asia Division DFAT, Australia
Ms. Sarah Boddington, First Secretary, Development Cooperation, Australian Embassy
Ms. Kamakshi Rai Yakthumba, Program Manager, Australian Embassy
Mr. Krishna Bahadur Karki, Research and Program Officer, Australian Embassy
Mr. Krishna Lamsal, Program Manager, Australian Embassy
Mr. Bryce Hutchesson Inaugurated both Pre-Vocational and Occupational Therapy units. After completion of Inauguration Program there was presentation by Dr. Sunita Maleku Amatya, Chairperson of ACNS regarding Autism and AutismCare Nepal Society (ACNS).
Interaction program at ACNS with Ms. Sarah Boddington, First Secretary, Development Cooperation and Mr. Krishna Lamsal, Program Manager of Australian Embassy on 14th November for preparatory planning for Inauguration program of Vocational and Occupational Therapy Unit in AutismCare Nepal Society going to be held on 27th November, 2014.