Critical issue the project proposal seeks to address

Ethiopia has no specific policy for children diagnosed with autism or for addressing their particular habilitation and rehabilitation needs.
The Ethiopian federal government has not established any system enabling children with autism or other special needs to receive financial or non-financial assistance or support at school.

Many families and nonprofit organizations must find ways to support children with autism without any government assistance.
Ethiopia is a low-income country, and in recent years ongoing internal conflicts have further destabilized an already fragile system.

The country’s economy is in an extremely critical state, and soaring inflation is further impoverishing families. Experience shows that financially vulnerable families are the first to suffer severely from such pressures, quickly becoming even poorer.

Families that are already poor and have children with autism face extreme difficulties in paying for their children’s education and training and meeting their medical needs.

Other programs and activities that will complement the proposal

The activities envisaged in the proposal will adopt a three-tier approach.

1. Provide financial support for 6 children with autism from vulnerable families who cannot afford the fees, enabling them to attend a three-year program at Yeshak Day Care (or provide half scholarships for 12 children where families can contribute part of the fees).
2. Provide partners and caregivers with basic training in educating and supporting children with autism who have autism-related communication difficulties.
3. Deliver public messages to raise awareness of autism through public media and social media.

How the need for the project was identified

The need for the project arises from the presence of extremely vulnerable families who cannot meet the cost of enrolling their children at the specialized center. When the fees are considered too high, parents are forced to keep their children at home or with other relatives.
This support will be based on a detailed assessment of each family’s vulnerability, using clearly defined and transparent criteria.

How are the intended beneficiaries involved in identifying and planning the project?

Yeshak Day Care for Children will inform families about the available funding and work with them to develop a plan for its use.
The organization will hold regular project review meetings with parents and update the donor through regular official reports.

What assistance will the relevant government offices provide?

None at this stage.

What resources does the Yesaq Autism Center provide?

The center will provide a complete curriculum tailored to the needs of each child with autism spectrum disorder. It will also provide all teaching aids and ensure follow-up for the children.
The center will provide all participating children, parents, and guardians with a holistic training program addressing all areas of vulnerability in children diagnosed with autism. Children will therefore have access to intensive training focused on psychomotor development and the activities needed to improve gross and fine motor skills and higher cognitive skills, such as executive functions. They will receive daily communication rehabilitation through individual and/or small-group sessions, with particular attention to alternative communication, delivered by staff trained in this field.
The treatments aim to manage communication difficulties as effectively as possible and improve children’s independence and autonomy in basic developmental areas, such as eating independently and using the toilet correctly and independently, as well as other skills. Parents and guardians will receive direct educational support to continue adapting the home environment using the same input and routines the children receive at the center. This will maximize children’s exposure to intensive training and help them use the independent living skills they have acquired in everyday life. Involving families in the program will also help children feel comfortable and understood in the different environments in which they live.

Rehabilitation services offered by the school:

The rehabilitation provided by the school is based on several fundamental principles and operates on different levels. It aims to be systematic and holistic, involving not only the child but also the family and everyone around them.
Even before a rehabilitation plan is drawn up, emphasis is placed on teaching patience and understanding: educators, therapists, and healthcare workers must be patient and understanding. Autism can present considerable challenges, but with appropriate support and guidance, children can make significant progress. It is essential not to rush the pursuit of educational goals.

An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed for each child to assess their existing abilities and individual needs. It outlines specific educational goals and the support needed to achieve them. The plan is updated annually with the school and the child’s key family members so that the same educational and therapeutic goals are pursued at home and at school. The IEP takes into account every aspect needed to support the best possible development of the child with autism.

First, every activity is delivered and organized in a structured environment. Staff and parents regularly attend courses emphasizing the scientific evidence that creating a structured, predictable environment can be a major source of support and comfort for children with autism. Consistent routines and clear expectations can help reduce anxiety and episodes of psychomotor agitation linked to difficulties in integrating and organizing sensory input in the brain. Every activity offered at the center, from playtime to lunch, follows a structured routine, with the aim of creating the best possible environment for the neurological, psychological, and motor development and learning of children with autism.

The center’s core treatment is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. ABA is a widely used therapeutic approach for children with autism. It focuses on positive reinforcement and systematic teaching techniques to improve behavior and social skills. ABA therapy is generally provided by an experienced therapist.

The center offers speech and language therapy aimed at strengthening communication skills. Speech and language therapy can help improve verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as language comprehension.

Occupational therapy (psychomotor therapy) aims to address different sensory processing difficulties and help children develop fine and gross motor skills. It also focuses on self-care and everyday living skills. Sensory integration therapy is also offered to address issues that are often particularly challenging for children with autism spectrum disorder. Its primary purpose is to help children better understand and respond to sensory input.

The center also offers activities aimed at developing social skills. As is well known, children with autism almost always experience difficulties with social interactions. Social skills therapy aims to help and support them in understanding social cues, developing friendships, and navigating different social situations while minimizing the associated stress.

Visual supports are also used, including visual schedules, social stories, and visual aids. Their specific purpose is to help children with autism understand and manage daily routines and social situations through a sensory channel that is often comfortable for them.
The final pillar of the center’s services is training for parents and healthcare workers: involving them in the training process is essential. The aim is for them to learn strategies to support their children’s development and well-being at home and in other social settings outside school.

Great importance is attached to inclusion and social opportunities: whenever possible, children with autism are given opportunities to interact with neurotypical peers. Inclusion in mainstream classes and extracurricular activities can help develop social and cognitive skills.

A. Expected project outcomes

Regardless of family income, six children (or 12 if families can contribute half the fees) with autism spectrum disorder will improve their psychosocial and cognitive functioning through habilitation and rehabilitation support. The treatment will strengthen psychomotor, psychosocial, communication, and cognitive skills through a holistic approach involving families and the community. While families will be directly involved in rehabilitation and habilitation, the community will receive information designed to improve understanding of the diagnosis and, in turn, reduce stigma.

B. Immediate objectives

• Provide holistic support for children with autism spectrum disorder (formal education and training).
• Provide training for parents, involving them in the treatment.
• Deliver public information messages about autism.

A. Long-term objectives

The long-term objective is for the 6 children (or 12 if their families can pay half the fees) to reach their full functional potential, including in the cognitive domain. The center monitors the children’s progress until they achieve sufficient independence to enter government schools. It maintains regular contact with families in subsequent years.

Parents of a child with autism spectrum disorder receive information about what the diagnosis means and gain a better understanding of their child’s needs and behavior. They also receive individual training to identify communication strategies that foster mutual understanding and help them recognize what their child wishes to express or obtain.
Parents also receive support to help their children achieve developmental milestones essential to autonomy and independence.

Community awareness activities are carried out to improve understanding of what it means to have a diagnosis of autism or other special needs, with the aim of reducing the fear and stigma currently associated with such a diagnosis.

B. Project activities and work plans

The project will run for 3 years.

C. Project beneficiaries

• 5 children from extremely vulnerable, very low-income families (or 12 if families can contribute half the fees) will receive a full three-year scholarship to attend Yeshak Special Needs Day Care.
• 12 parents or caregivers (or 24 if families can contribute half the fees) will take part in autism awareness courses.
• 3 public messages will be broadcast on the radio, and 2,000 badges will be distributed in the community.

D. Project management and implementation

The center’s founder and director, together with her staff, will be responsible for implementing the project. She will regularly inform the donor of the results achieved.

Project implementation will be reviewed by the partners, the donor’s representative, and an independent volunteer professional.
Regular monitoring reports will be provided to the donor and independent professionals every six months.

EUR 138.889 per month per child
6 children
12 months
138.889*6*12 = EUR 10,000 per year

Alternatively:

EUR 69.45 per month per child (half the fees)
12 children
12 months
69.445*12*12 = EUR 10,000 per year

• Children leave the center due to family, health, environmental, or other problems.
• The government introduces different measures for the care of children diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorders.
• The center suspends its services due to human-caused or natural disasters.
• The global economic crisis forces the center to increase its fees disproportionately.