Researches on special educational needs proof that all children are capable of learning. With suitable training and environment, everyone can develop one’s talent. JC A-Connect introduced World Health Organization Caregiver Skills Training Programme (WHO-CST) in 2021, hoping to help parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental disorders or delays to face challenging parenting tasks and develop constructive parent-child interactions.

WHO-CST was developed by WHO and Autism Speaks, an autism advocacy organisation in the United States. The programme focuses on training the caregivers on how to use everyday play and home activities and routines as opportunities for learning and development. It enhances children’s communication and adaptive behaviours, prevents or reduces the incidence of their challenging behaviours, and promotes the caregiver’s well-being.

The programme has been translated into different languages and is currently being implemented in more than 30 regions worldwide. YWCA is honoured to be invited as one of the partners of the localised WHO-CST. The Association’s social worker received training provided by WHO and has become one of the nine master trainers in Hong Kong. The master trainers will organise courses to share skills in working with young children, and train professionals to become facilitators.

WHO-CST is expected to serve the public in the second quarter of 2022. Primary caregivers of children aged between 2 and 6 years old, with or suspected to have ASD, developmental disorders or delays can join the programme and seek for intervention.