Throughout the decade-long journey of the Special Needs Education Programme (SNEP) at saigonchildren, we have learned a profound lesson: to support a neurodivergent child, facilities are a necessity, but a robust professional ecosystem and a network of skilled, empathetic companions are what truly make the difference.
Reflecting on our journey since 2010, saigonchildren first entered the field of disability support with projects that included both facility improvements and training initiatives. However, we soon realised that the most significant barrier in Vietnam remained the gap in specialised skills.
To bridge this gap, since 2016, SNEP has shifted its focus towards a strategy of ‘Empowerment through Knowledge’:

In addition to one-off training sessions, since 2024, saigonchildren has worked towards building a network to connect specialists supporting children with neurodiversity. This is a space where practitioners and experts can gather, share practical lessons, and find mutual motivation.
Recently, the 2025 network gathering themed “Applying Play-Based Learning for Children with Neurodiversity” was held in a warm atmosphere. It brought together over 40 specialists from various regions, including Hà Nội, Đắk Lắk, Gia Lai, Khánh Hòa, Lâm Đồng, HCMC, Đồng Nai, Đồng Tháp, and Cần Thơ City.

A shared journey
The most memorable “touchpoint” of this year’s gathering was the connection made not just among the professional community, but also with the parents of children in need of support:


After ten years of striving to build the professional capacity of those working with children with neurodiversity, and two years of focused network-building, we are more confident than ever that strong, close connections among those who accompany these children create greater collective strength, enabling us to provide the best possible support for the young people who need it most.
