Support for Children with Autism in Tajikistan

Despite all the ‘stops and starts’ of 2020, IRODA has been able to progress its work at ‘Free-DOM’. The beginning of 'Free-DOM' is an apartment set up to provide a location in which young people with disabilities can be supported to learn everyday life skills is up and running. 18 young adults have been engaging in an independent living program at ‘Free-DOM’, learning new skills and benefiting from doing this alongside other young adults and supportive IRODA staff. We look forward to 2021 when we hope to run two more programs and provide this important opportunity to other young adults. 

The ‘Free-DOM’ (‘Dom’ being the Russian word for house) apartment is also being used on the weekend for respite care. Many families of young people with additional needs don’t have others around them who can help support their family member. This can put a significant strain on the family unit. Being able to offer respite for some of these families by using the ‘Free-DOM’ apartment has not only provided much-needed support for these families but has also given the young people opportunities to socialise with others outside of their family.

Looking forward to 2021 we hope to grow both the Independent Living Skills program and the respite services. Your on-going support means a lot to all at IRODA and will enable us to continue exciting ventures such as ‘Free-DOM’.

2020 has brought many unexpected changes with the challenges of COVID19. IRODA has endeavoured to support families throughout these changes and through challenging circumstances. As restrictions have started to be eased IRODA has begun offering some services within the centre again. Over the years, the Developmental Program has provided an alternative to institutionalised care in government settings for children and young people with autism, intellectual disabilities and high support needs. Practical everyday life skills are taught in a supportive environment that meets individual needs. The period through which programs had to close was particularly stressful for the families of children who access the Developmental Program. IRODA staff have worked hard to put measures in place to be able to safely re-open this program and provide much needed in-person support to these young people, and respite for their families after the challenges of such a long time at home. 

Thank you for your on-going support throughout the challenges of 2020. The generosity of individual people around the world has enabled us to respond to the needs of families in our community during these difficult times.