Abstract

Families of children with autism and other developmental disabilities living in low-income contexts experience severe challenges, including stigma and discrimination, poverty and a lack of access to formal support and education. In this talk I will share insights from the SPARK project, an international research collaboration between UK-based, Ethiopian and Kenyan researchers and the World Health Organization that aims to improve support for children with developmental disabilities in Ethiopia and Kenya.

In close collaboration with community and government stakeholders, the SPARK team developed a Community Identification of Developmental Disabilities (CIDD) tool to improve detection of children with developmental disabilities and promote referral for further assessment and support. Families of children identified with the CIDD are subsequently invited to participate in a cluster randomised controlled trial testing the effectiveness of the Caregiver Skills Training programme, a low intensity intervention developed by the World Health Organization. I will share emerging findings from the SPARK project and reflect on ethical and safeguarding considerations when developing and testing interventions for this vulnerable group.