Education Tajikistan Project #12427

Support for Children with Autism in Tajikistan

by IRODA 'Parents of Children with Autism Initiative'

Project Report | Nov 13, 2026
15 years of IRODA: Small Steps, Big Changes

By Karen Purdie | Project Leader

Small steps, big changes

For 15 years, IRODA has been changing lives — one child, one family, and one opportunity at a time.

What began in 2011 as a small parent-led initiative has grown into a network of programs supporting children and young adults with autism and other disabilities across Tajikistan.

Today, IRODA provides early intervention, inclusive education, independent living skills training, family support, and employment opportunities.

As we celebrate this milestone, we are proud to share some of our progress in 2026, made possible by our dedicated team, the families we support, and people like you.

Early Intervention: Building Strong Foundations

During the first nine months of 2026, 215 children received early intervention services through IRODA.

Our staff worked with children and their families to develop communication, social interaction, and early learning skills.

We believe that early support, combined with active parental involvement, can make a lasting difference in a child’s development.

Learning Skills for Life

Through the programs ASpektr+, ADAPT, FreeDOM, and iTavono, we provided individualized support to 55 children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

This support has led to:

5 children transitioning from adapted educational programs into mainstream schools.
13 children completing an important stage of daily living skills training, gaining greater independence in eating, hygiene, and self-care.
7 new children joining our programs.

Every new skill is a step toward greater independence.

Friends House: Inclusion Through Employment

Our inclusive café, The Friends House, creates opportunities for young people with disabilities to develop professional skills and enter the workforce.

In 2026, 2 young people have secured employment, while 6 others continued vocational training in food preparation, customer service, and teamwork.

Through our "Catering with Purpose" initiative, we are also developing social enterprise activities that connect business with our mission of inclusion.

Supporting Families and Strengthening Professional Skills

Supporting parents and professionals is an essential part of our work.

In 2026, 15 specialists participated in our Autism Intensive training program, while 123 parents and professionals attended three educational events.

Through MamaSpace, mothers of children with disabilities continued to find opportunities to connect, share experiences, and receive emotional support.

Celebrating 15 Years of IRODA

In September 2026, we celebrated our 15th anniversary with a two-day inclusive summer camp at Rohati Lake.

Children and young adults from our programs, their parents, and our team came together for outdoor activities, games, shared meals, and friendship.

For many families, it was a special opportunity to relax, celebrate milestones, and experience the joy of belonging to a supportive community.

Fifteen years ago, IRODA began with a small group of parents who believed in a better future for their children. Today, that vision has grown into a community built on inclusion, friendship, and hope.

Our 15th anniversary was more than a celebration of the past. It was a celebration of inclusion, friendship, resilience, and the journey we continue together.

Looking Ahead: A Permanent Home for Inclusion

As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, we are also looking toward the future.

One of our most important priorities is Home of Hope — an initiative to secure permanent premises for our early intervention services and inclusive café.

A permanent home will help us protect the continuity of our programs, expand opportunities for children and young adults, and build a more sustainable future for IRODA.

Thank You for Being Part of Our Journey

Every child who learns a new skill, every parent who finds support, and every young adult who takes a step toward independence reminds us why this work matters.

Thank you for standing with IRODA and helping us turn small steps into life-changing opportunities.

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Jul 17, 2026
A special mother: how to restore your strength...

By Lola Nasriddinova | Project Leader

Mama Space

On July 11, 2026, IRODA, in partnership with She Leads, organized the first MamaSpace Retreat entitled "A Special Mother: How to Restore Your Strength and Prevent Burnout."

The retreat aimed to create a safe, supportive environment for mothers raising children with disabilities or neurodivergence, where they could restore their emotional resources, experience acceptance, gain practical strategies for preventing caregiver burnout, and connect with other mothers facing similar challenges.

This retreat marked the launch of the long-term MamaSpace initiative, designed to promote the psychological well-being, personal growth, and social support of parents caring for children with additional needs.

Event Overview

The participants were welcomed into the warm and inclusive atmosphere of The Friends House, which was reserved exclusively for the retreat throughout the day.

The event began with an informal welcome over tea and coffee, followed by the interactive activity "The MamaSpace Tree of Support." Each participant wrote what currently gives her strength and what most drains her energy. These reflections were placed on a symbolic tree, illustrating both the shared challenges and the collective resilience of mothers caring for children with special needs.

During the opening session, the organizers introduced the vision of the MamaSpace initiative, emphasizing the importance of supporting mothers' mental health and presenting the upcoming series of MamaSpace retreats and activities.

Participants then engaged in the interactive exercise "The Mother's Wheel of Resources," where they reflected on different areas of their lives, including sleep, health, emotional well-being, relationships, support, spirituality, communication, rest, and personal time. The exercise helped participants recognize both their strengths and the areas that require greater attention and self-care.

The central part of the retreat was the keynote session "A Special Mother: How to Restore Your Strength and Prevent Burnout," delivered by Lola Nasriddinova. The presentation explored the causes of caregiver burnout, the impact of chronic stress on family well-being, the importance of practicing self-care without guilt, and practical daily strategies for restoring physical, emotional, social, and spiritual resources. Special attention was given to gratitude, family support, and developing sustainable self-care habits.

Following the educational session, participants took part in an art therapy workshop entitled "My Safe Place." Through creative expression, mothers explored their emotions, reduced stress, and created personal symbols representing comfort, safety, and hope.

The retreat continued with a Support Circle, where participants openly shared their personal experiences, challenges, and hopes. For many mothers, this was the first opportunity to speak honestly about their journey in an atmosphere of empathy, acceptance, and understanding. This session became one of the most meaningful and emotionally powerful parts of the day.

As a closing activity, each participant wrote a letter to herself, making a personal commitment to prioritize her own well-being and remember the importance of self-care. Mothers also received small keepsakes and inspirational messages to take home.

The retreat concluded with the "Wish Box" activity, where participants shared ideas and suggestions for future MamaSpace events, including preferred topics, speakers, activities, and forms of support. A group photo session brought the day to a joyful close and captured the spirit of connection and community.

Outcomes

The first MamaSpace retreat demonstrated a clear need for dedicated spaces that support parents of children with additional needs.

Participants reported that the retreat helped them to:

experience emotional support, acceptance, and a sense of belonging;
build meaningful connections with other mothers facing similar challenges;
learn practical strategies for preventing caregiver burnout;
recognize the importance of caring for their own physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being;
feel empowered to prioritize self-care without guilt.

Many participants highlighted that the opportunity to openly share their experiences and realize they were not alone was one of the most valuable aspects of the retreat.

Conclusion

The first MamaSpace Retreat marked an important milestone in strengthening holistic family support services for parents raising children with disabilities and neurodevelopmental conditions in Tajikistan.

IRODA and She Leads plan to continue the MamaSpace series by expanding opportunities for psychological support, peer connection, education, creativity, and personal development for mothers.

We firmly believe that caring for caregivers is an investment in the well-being of the entire family. By supporting parents and carers, we strengthen families, improve outcomes for children, and build a more compassionate and inclusive community where no parent feels alone.

Thank you for you for being part of making initatives such as MamaSpace a support to families in Tajiksitan.

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Mar 19, 2026
Creating space for connection

By Karen Purdie | Project Leader

To strengthen public awareness, peer support, and open dialogue about autism and neurodiversity, IRODA regularly hosts community events at Friends House, the café and social enterprise that IRODA has founded. These gatherings create a safe and welcoming space where parents, professionals, and community members can speak openly about real experiences of raising, supporting, and living alongside people with autism.

Two key formats of these events are Autism Friend’s Talks and Film Evenings, which combine storytelling, lived experience, and community dialogue.

IRODA recently hosted two film screenings exploring the experiences of individuals with developmental differences and their families. Each screening was followed by open, welcoming discussions, where participants were invited to reflect, share, and connect.

Across both the talks and film evenings, these conversations created space for thoughtful dialogue around themes such as sibling relationships, social inclusion, empathy, and family resilience. Guests engaged openly with one another, bringing a wide range of perspectives and lived experiences into the room.

Impact

These gatherings helped deepen the community’s understanding of the emotional realities faced by families raising children with disabilities. For many attendees, particularly those with limited prior exposure to autism, the experience fostered greater empathy and awareness.

They also strengthened the role of Friends House as a trusted community hub—one where people come together to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful conversations about inclusion.

Why These Events Matter

For many families raising children with autism, opportunities for open conversation and genuine community connection remain limited. Creating spaces where people feel safe to share, ask questions, and learn from one another is essential.

Events like Autism Friend’s Talks and the film screenings provide:

a safe and supportive environment for parents and families to share their experiences
opportunities for professionals and community members to learn directly from lived experience
increased public awareness and understanding of autism
stronger, more connected community support networks

These gatherings demonstrate the broader impact of inclusive spaces like Friends House. Beyond being a workplace for young people with disabilities, it is also a place where dialogue is encouraged, understanding is nurtured, and meaningful social change can begin.

Thank you for your ongoing support of IRODA’s work that is creating these spaces for understanding, connection and inclusion.

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