Tribune News Network
Doha
Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has launched the latest iteration of its ‘Teach Me How’ programme. The comprehensive educational programme on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is designed to empower parents and caregivers with the knowledge and skills to effectively support their neurodiverse children.
‘Teach Me How’ includes interactive sessions with experts from Sidra Medicine, to deepen parents’ understanding of ASD, along with access to a supportive network to share experiences and resources. The programme, which is available in English and Arabic, is offered by a multi-disciplinary developmental paediatrics team, consisting of speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, clinical psychologists, and physicians specializing in neurodevelopment.
Dr Alia Satti, Senior Attending Physician in Developmental Paediatrics at Sidra Medicine, said: "Our ‘Teach Me How’ programme combines expert guidance with community connection. One of the strengths of the programme is its focus on practicality. We go beyond theory, using real-world examples and proven techniques which empower parents with the knowledge and skills needed to support their child’s unique needs. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing parents finish the program feeling confident with the knowledge and access to resources to support their child.”
The ‘Teach Me How’ team is trained in programmes such as EarlyBird, Cygnet, DIRFloortime, Hanen’s More Than Words, and Elklan. Participants learn to address common ASD misconceptions, identify core characteristics, and understand the range of presentations within the autism spectrum. Dr Christin Helen Vlahos, Clinical Psychologist at Sidra Medicine said: "Parent education is crucial for parents of autistic children as it helps them understand their child’s behaviors, strengths, and challenges, fostering empathy and effective communication. By learning evidence-based strategies for behavior management and communication, with an experienced team such as ours, parents can create supportive environments that enhance their child’s development. Ultimately, informed parents are better equipped to advocate for their children and nurture their development, leading to improved outcomes for the whole family.”
To accommodate diverse schedules, ‘Teach Me How’ will have two cycles in November 2024. A four-session program in English will be held in-person at Sidra Medicine in the evenings, while the Arabic four-session program, will be offered online in the mornings.
A parent who joined the previous edition of the ‘Teach Me How’ paid programme said: "The programme’s open lecture style with Q&A sessions was incredibly valuable. Hearing other parents’ experiences and relating to their struggles made me realize I was not alone in dealing with my child.”
If you are a parent or caregiver seeking knowledge and support for a child with ASD, email developmentalpeds@sidra.org and unlock the tools that can make a difference.