The Global PET team gathered in South Africa for an annual meeting.
news
6 November 2023
Naked Heart Foundation’s experts attended Global PET annual meeting in Stellenbosch, South Africa, together with their project team colleagues from The University of Edinburgh and The University of Cape Town.
The visit from 27 October to 1 November 2023 comprised four-day series of workshops for the project team aimed to present the new programme concept to a wider group of stakeholders, explore their needs and preferences, collect feedback on the programme concept, and develop the core structure of the programme.
During the workshops, the project team engaged with the advisory group of the Centre for Autism Research in Africa, including parents of autistic children, clinical professionals, state workers and NGO professionals. The project team presented the programme outline and held two data collection sessions.
The feedback received during these sessions will help shape the programme’s structure, tone of voice and objectives. Stakeholders also shared their views on the needs and preferences of families raising children with autism spectrum disorder.
At the in-person meeting in Stellenbosch the project team reached consensus to name the new programme Bloom Autism Support Programme for Families. The name Bloom symbolises growth and flourishing. It reflects both the uniqueness of each autistic child-like the individuality of flowers, and the idea that progress comes from nurturing a supportive environment rather than changing the child’s core nature.
Just as healthy soil and careful watering help a flower bloom, this programme focuses on creating the right conditions for learning and development. This aligns with a strengths-based approach and the neurodiversity movement, emphasising collaboration with families rather than an "expert" model of teaching.
The first stage of the Bloom Global PET programme started in 2022, and the development is currently planned for three years. PET programmes teach parents and caregivers strategies to support their child's development in everyday routines and help children with autism thrive. They essentially contribute to social welfare by empowering parents with knowledge and practical skills, reducing parental stress and bolstering confidence, as well as by improving the home environment for learning and development.