Support for Children with Autism in Tajikistan

On World Mental Health Day on the 10^th of October IRODA held the opening event for its new premises, ‘ASpectrum+’. This new building will house the educational and therapeutic supports for children aged 7 to 15.  As IRODA’s work has grown it has become necessary to acquire different premises for the five programs that it offers to children, young adults, and their families. Generous donations from individuals, matching funds from the European Bank for Construction and Development (EBRD), a Eurasia Foundation project, funding from USAID, and a lot of hard work from IRODA staff and families all resulted in the ability to establish and open this new centre. 

ASpectrum+ supports children and young people through a full day education program for those who are unable to attend their local school, and individual or group therapeutic sessions for others who visit for specific support for their learning and development. The support that children and young people gain at ASpectum+ if not only beneficial to them as an individual but to their whole family. 

IRODA’s Director, Lola Nasriddinova, talked about the importance of support for the family; “if at the beginning of their journey a family finds help from a doctor, competent professionals, a friendly schoolteacher, and understanding relatives it will support the parent’s mental health and wellbeing, and improve the quality of life of entire families.”. It was fitting that ASpetrum+ was opened on World Mental Health Day as IRODA’s intent is that it becomes not only a place that provides high quality supports for children living with autism, but that it also goes a long way to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the whole family. 

Thank you for your generosity that has contributed to IRODA’s ability to not only open ASpectrum+ but to continue to staff and resource the programs that are run out of this centre. 

The IRODA team has been working hard over recent years to train and equip young adults with skills for entering the workforce. IRODA’s café, catering service and graphic design workshop have all provided opportunities for supported employment. Within these social enterprises that IRODA runs young people have been learning the skills needed for the workplace, with the support of IRODA’s dedicated staff. 

It is with great excitement that IRODA has started to see young people move on from supported employment into jobs within the community. IRODA has set up an internship program that provides young people with job coaches who support them in finding and commencing a job within the community. 

The IRODA team is celebrating the success of Khushbaht, a young man who previously worked in IRODA’s supported employment program for 5 years. He spent one year in the internship program and with the support of mentors and coaches started working at the Lahza Pizza Café in June 2023. Similarly, IRODA is delighted that after 2 years within their supported employment program, Umed started an internship and after 6 months was able to gain employment at the Auchan Shopping Mall. 

In the past in Tajikistan, there have been many barriers to gaining employment for young adults with autism. Khushbaht and Umed’s stories of successful employment show the progress being made towards a more inclusive society and the rights of all people being recognised. IRODA is grateful for your support that makes their work possible and brings change to the lives of people like Khushbaht and Umed.