The project on Early Intervention for Children with Autism – Training the Trainers 2021-2023 was sponsored by Lufthansa Help Alliance, Saving Grace, and J&R Bleach Trust with cooperation from the National College of Education HCM (NCE).

This is a three-year project with the vision to improve the quality of early intervention for children with autism in special schools, helping children with autism to have access to appropriate education, develop to their full potential, and can integrate into society. The project aims to provide 25 teachers and trainees that are qualified for early intervention for children with autism based on the Early Years Autism Competency Framework of Autism Education Trust; capable of specialised field in early intervention, and have a strong capacity to spread the knowledge and skills to other professionals and communities.

To continue the success of the first training course in 2021, the second-year training course was held from June 27th to July 15th, 2022, with the participation of 23 trainees and 3 trainers from the UK, 1 trainer from Vietnam, four supervisors who were graduates from the first three-year training course done by saigonchildren, and an Australian supervisor mentor.
The trainees had two weeks to learn theories with four trainers on speech therapy, occupational therapy, and art therapy in the mornings and used that knowledge to analyse a case study in groups. In the third week, the trainees had opportunities to practise on children, teachers, and parents with support from the supervisors.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the training was not planned soon enough. Five trainers from the UK were ordered to come to Vietnam for three weeks but only three of them could come for two weeks. However, the training was delivered smoothly. The close collaboration of the National College of Education facilitated the training and provided the participants with nice facilities.
“The whole cohort was very cohesive and supportive within the groups and between the groups. The teamwork, collaboration, respect, support, care, love, and kindness observed was quite amazing. The interpreting skills of Ms. Y Sa also allowed the communication to be efficient and effective.” – Simon Lam-Ellis the trainer.