This is a pilot study for assessing the feasibility of integrating mental health services for the mothers of children with ASD in the special schools and improving the skills of mothers for child care through a home-based training program.
The study introduced an intervention package in two purposively selected special schools in Dhaka city comprising a psychosocial support centre and training the mothers to take better care of their children. A trained female psychologist was deployed at the counselling centre. One educational psychologist with advanced training in ASD care (special educator) provided training to the intervention mothers to enhance their skills for child care at home and followed up at home every month. The packaged intervention was implemented over a 4-6 months period. The feasibility of the intervention was assessed quantitatively and qualitatively through a pre-post intervention evaluation by obtaining the perspectives of various stakeholders involved in the implementation of the mental health services and maternal training. The study shows a promising result, and the main paper has been submitted in the Global Mental Health Journal.

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