Supporting neurodivergent children in Vietnam
Every child experiences and interacts with the world in their own way. However, children with neurodivergent conditions such as ASD or ADHD still face significant social stigma and barriers to quality education and inclusion.
Damien Roberts, Executive Director of saigonchildren, shared: “We believe that neurological diversity is natural and should be understood and respected. Through initiatives like early intervention classes and training courses for teachers working with neurodivergent children, our Special Needs Education Programme provides essential support so that each child can thrive in a way that suits how their brain works. This new website extends that help to every child.”
In early April, saigonchildren first introduced dadangthankinh.com, a website dedicated to the support and educational development of neurodivergent children in Vietnam. The website offers trustworthy, fully Vietnamese-language content designed for parents, educators, and practitioners.
Awareness-raising events about autism and neurodiversity for public
“A Step into a World of Colourful Senses” was the community event organised by saigonchildren in HCMC in April, as part of our activities celebrating Autism Awareness Month this year, welcoming individuals interested in neurodiversity.
During nearly 90 minutes of each session, participants got hands-on at booth stations exploring the five basic senses, vestibular sense, motor skills, music, and LEGO play. With the guidance of early intervention specialists, everyone gained a closer look at how individuals with autism, especially children, experience the world through their senses.
“The Sensory Station impressed me the most. By experiencing it firsthand, I could really grasp the challenges neurodivergent children face—some are overly sensitive to noise, while others seek strong sensory input, which can sometimes lead to unsafe behaviours,” shared N., a psychology student from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
On 25 April, a private version of the event was hosted at LEGO Manufacturing Vietnam in Bình Dương Province for nearly 50 neurodivergent children and their caregivers from saigonchildren’s early intervention class and a partner school in Bình Dương. Activities were designed to help children and caregivers learn how to interact and have some ideas how to intervene at home. One day earlier, 60 volunteers from LEGO joined a training session to better understand autism and learn how to interact and play appropriately with the children during the event.
