Training of Master Trainers on the World Health Organization’s Caregiver Skills Training programme for autism and related disabilities

21 May 2019
21 May 2019

The WHO CST programme is currently being field tested in more than 33 countries, including South Africa. The South African pilot project is a collaborative venture between the National Department of Social Development, the Centre for Autism Research in Africa (University of Cape Town), and Autism South Africa. Last week, two international CST Trainers - Dr Laura Pacione (WHO, Canada) and Dr Pamela Dixon (Autism Speaks, USA) - visited the Ipelegeng Child and Family Centre in Mahikeng, North West Province. They trained a selected group of professionals to become the first WHO CST Master Trainers in South Africa. The South African CST Master Trainers includes representatives from the North West University, University of the Free State, North West Department of Health and Free State Department of Health. This committed group of stakeholders will jointly work together to train facilitators and pilot test the WHO CST programme in different contexts. This exciting initiative is part of the global commitment to creating a world in which every child can develop their full potential, and no child is left behind.