Caregiver skills training for families of children with developmental delays or disabilities

More than 50 million children have a developmental disability such as an intellectual disability, autism, or a speech disorder. Without appropriate support, these conditions often limit these children’s ability to benefit from the educational and social opportunities that others take for granted. They are often denied access to school and are more likely to experience violence, neglect, and other forms of abuse. Their caregivers are often stigmatised, isolated and impoverished. Despite this, most children with developmental disabilities and their families do not have access to the care and support they need.

For caregivers of children with developmental disabilities, parenting programmes can be particularly beneficial in increasing their confidence and parenting skills. They can also lead to improved well-being of both caregivers and children.

In view of this, WHO, along with international partners, has developed a has developed a five-part package on Caregivers Skills Training for families of children with developmental delays or disabilities (CST).

Developed in consultation with – and informed by feedback from – international experts, service providers, caregivers and family advocates, with extensive field-testing across regions. The programme adopts a family-centred approach and is designed to be delivered by non-specialist care providers (nurses, community-based workers or caregivers) as part of a network of health, education and social services for children and their families.

The CST consists of nine group sessions and three individual home visits, and focuses on training the caregiver on how to use everyday play and home activities and routines as opportunities for enhanced interaction and participation, development and learning. The sessions specifically address communication, engagement, daily living skills, challenging behaviour and caregiver coping strategies.

An online version of the training, targeted at caregivers, is available. To register for the online training:

• Create an OpenWHO account: Click here
• To start the course: Open the training platform then click on the button: Enrol me for this course