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‘’Sangam’s main problems were not walking and not talking. He couldn’t do anything, but the field worker came to the house and taught many things. Now the problems are gradually reducing. I feel very good about this programme, without which maybe Sangam wouldn’t be able to walk and talk.’ Sangam’s mother.
Help for autistic children in Nepal has historically been virtually non-existent. Access to remote villages led to poor diagnosis and lack of resources. Families struggled to cope with children with significant and challenging behaviour patterns.
The ‘Portage and Rehabilitation Association Nepal’ (PRAN), a home-visiting service for families with autistic children from birth to school age, was set up in 2001 by Founder and Director of PRAN, Mani Raj Shrestha, who also runs the ABVK School for mental and physical disabilities close to Kathmandu. This centre of excellence trains others to identify symptoms and implement his programme of early intervention for families throughout Nepal.
‘From birth to 6 years old, development in children is very fast. They learn quickly at this age. …Early intervention is important. If we can diagnose problems and provide services in time, we can prevent secondary problems,’ says Mani Raj.
It is vital for the development of children with autism to be given support and training at an early stage. This will involve the children learning mainly through play, and also training for the parents and staff. Awareness programmes, home visits, parent counselling and support, even vocational training for parents to help improve their financial situation, all these are part of the enlightened approach of this innovative centre, which functions alongside ABVK, Mani Raj’s school for children and young adults with mental and physical disabilities, and which also incorporates a learning centre for children and young adults with severe learning difficulties
‘From birth to 6 years old, development in children is very fast. They learn quickly at this age. …Early intervention is important. If we can diagnose problems and provide services in time, we can prevent secondary problems,’ says Mani Raj.
It is vital for the development of children with autism to be given support and training at an early stage. This will involve the children learning mainly through play, and also training for the parents and staff. Awareness programmes, home visits, parent counselling and support, even vocational training for parents to help improve their financial situation, all these are part of the enlightened approach of this innovative centre, which functions alongside ABVK, Mani Raj’s school for children and young adults with mental and physical disabilities, and which also incorporates a learning centre for children and young adults with severe learning difficulties
In 2014, The Juniper Trust, in partnership with KE Adventure Travel, raised £20,000 towards the building of a new centre which was finished by the end of that year, luckily there was only minor damage in the April 2015 earthquake.
Glenn Rowley from the Juniper Trust, visited in November 2015, pledging additional help with £3000 worth of furniture and equipment to enable PRAN to offer residential courses for trainers and families with special needs children. PRAN ‘s work has wide-ranging implications for helping autistic children, and Juniper Trust hopes to continue supporting its ongoing programmes and training, keeping in touch with PRAN, and helping out where possible with this life-changing initiative in accordance with its pledge to always continue in partnership with its projects.
30 Wordsworth Street
Penrith, Cumbria
CA11 7QY, United Kingdom
Registered Charity Number: 1053356
