Here is a solid ray of hope story from Unicef Myanmar. Children in Myanmar on the autism spectrum deserve early intervention.

Jamie

******************************************

Shining light on autism
A teacher’s journey to break the stigma in Myanmar
Kaye Lin & May Thet Thet Oo
UNICEF Myanmar
3 April 2023

Khin Lay Yee, teacher and founder of a school for children with special needs, remembers many months of late nights she spent researching autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in an internet café. “I was determined to break the taboo and bring it to light,” she said. "Piles of books and papers falling onto the floor reminded me of the difficulties faced by families seeking help."

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that may affect a person’s ability to communicate and socialize with others. In a country where these conditions have long been misunderstood and stigmatized, one teacher’s determination is changing the lives of many children and families.

Later, Khin Lay Yee studied about children with special needs in Singapore and Thailand, where she gained a comprehensive understanding of different neurodevelopmental disorders. “Before I went abroad to study, I had no idea about autism or the struggles faced by so many children and their families in my country,” Khin Lay Yee recalled. “I wanted to bring back the knowledge to make a difference.”

Upon her return, Khin began helping families who were struggling to understand and help their loved ones.

For Daw Myint Myint Shwe, life seemed dark as her 17-year-old son, Nay Win Aung, grew up facing a world that did not understand him. He was mislabelled as ‘spoiled’ and told it was his ‘karma,’ as he struggled to fit in.

Misconceptions and fear caused by a lack of resources and understanding, make it hard for people to seek help, leading to delays in getting support.

Daw Myint Myint Shwe’s eyes welled up, recalling the challenges her son faced.

“Before we met Khin Lay Yee in 2012, we went from doctor to doctor, seeking help, but got no tangible explanation or solution. As a mother, I felt helpless,” said Daw Myint Myint Shwe.

“Meeting Khin Lay Yee has been a great fortune for my son. After facing many difficulties at his previous school, including being denied admission, I heard about a school for children with disabilities where Khin Lay Yee worked at the time. In just a year after he joined the school, Nay’s progress became very visible,” said Daw Myint Myint Shwe, smiling broadly.

Nay Win Aung has since been learning in an inclusive school, where he learns together with other students of different abilities, while he continues his regular sessions with Khin Lay Yee.

Khin Lay Yee set up the Living Water Learning Centre for children with special needs three years ago. She has built a strong network of service providers helping Daw Myint Myint Shwe and other families navigate life’s challenges a little better.

Although autism is a complex condition, there are a number of services that can help children, including early childhood intervention, behavioural therapy, and medication.

UNICEF Myanmar
UNICEF Myanmar/2023/Naing Lin Soe
Nay Win Aung and his teacher playing with cards at the Living Water Learning Center in Yangon, Myanmar
“In 2017, I became an active member of the early childhood intervention programme, which is supported by UNICEF. Through trainings, I learned about early screening and assessment tools and intervention services adapted for Myanmar,” said Khin Lay Yee.

“Early childhood intervention is essential. The sooner a child is diagnosed, the sooner they can start receiving the appropriate intervention.”

One approach is routine-based intervention, a low-cost method focused on a child’s individual needs. With support from trained professionals, parents can create personalized plans based on their child’s priorities and needs.

“It starts with simple steps, such as letting them ask for essential things like water or a snack. They can say phrases such as, ‘give me water’ or ‘I am hungry’. Sometimes, you can communicate with them using gestures, or repeating words and slowly you build trust and relationship with the child, working together to meet their needs.”

Even with the many challenges Myanmar faces, there have been improvements. There are a few more hospitals and clinics in the big cities offering diagnosis and treatment.

So far, UNICEF has supported the continuous training of 50 professionals like Khin Lay Yee and 150 paraprofessionals from different service-providing institutions, including faith-based organizations, reaching around 2,000 children across the country with early screening and parenting guidance.

Around 150 children received individualized home-based service plans, bringing positive changes in their lives. Nay Win Aung, for example, wants to be an actor and Khin Lay Yee believes he can be one, with the right support.

The dim glow of light from Khin Lay Yee’s late-night studying has become a ray of hope.

“But there is more work to be done,” said Khin Lay Yee. “We have to build a more inclusive society where each child can belong, regardless of their abilities.”

https://www.unicef.org/myanmar/stories/shining-light-autism