300 pre-primary teachers will be trained to recognise early signs of autism and learn basic intervention techniques. It is expected that 22 children will get timely diagnosis and support, helping them access inclusive education in Kinondoni District, Tanzania.

Local Solution
Lukiza Autism Foundation (LuAF) is working to improve the quality of life of people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The project will train 300 teachers from 15 schools to help them identify early signs of autism, guide families to the right services, and use simple strategies to include children with autism in the classroom. The project will also set up a referral system with local health clinics and experts so children can get diagnosed and supported quickly.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 1 in every 100 children under 5 years old worldwide has ASD. Research shows that ages 2–6 are the best time to start intervention. In Tanzania, many children with autism are diagnosed late, missing this important window. This is because many parents don’t know about autism, a lack of trained experts, and many children are sent to school without proper support. Often, parents see delays in their children’s development but assume they will grow out of it, which causes delays in early help.

To solve these issues, LuAF, working with local partners, has designed a simple, practical approach. Over six months, teachers will learn how to spot social, communication, and behavior differences. They will use checklists and observation techniques to notice concerns and learn basic ways to support children. Teachers will also learn how to talk to parents kindly, without blame or stigma, and stress the importance of early help. The training will include workshops, role-playing, and group activities to practice recognising autism signs.

This plan is adapted to Tanzania’s culture and schools. Teachers are trusted community members, so they can be the first to notice and support children with developmental differences. The project’s success depends on building local skills; training the trainers (ToTs) and working with the Ministry of Education to include autism awareness in teacher training. LuAF will also offer  and support groups for parents of children identified through the program, helping them manage stress and feel supported in taking care of their children.

LuAF aims to expand this project to over 865 pre-primary schools across Dar es Salaam, using local trainers and peer mentorship, and eventually reaching other parts of Tanzania.

Lives Improved
In the short term, 300 teachers will be better at spotting children at risk, leading to early referrals for assessment and help. About 2,250 children will benefit indirectly from inclusive education, with an estimated 22 showing signs of autism and receiving early screening and support. Additionally, their parents will gain understanding and confidence to help their children grow, reducing stigma.

Community Impact
This project will promote autism acceptance and understanding in communities. Teachers will act as change-makers, helping to reduce stigma around autism, encouraging early support as a normal practice, and influencing policies for wider adoption across the country.

Budget
The total budget for this project is Tsh 15,210,526.32 (or €5,019.47). The funds will be used to:

• Provide training for teachers on early autism signs and support strategies
• Purchase laptops, projectors, and training materials
• Cover costs for diagnosis and introductory therapy for the 22 children identified
• Cover organizational costs such as administration and communication
• Allocate 5% to iMPACT direct for facilitating direct donations to local solutions (which helps to cover costs of the website, promotion and proposal writing, costs of financial services and the support to NGOs).

Own contribution: Lukiza Autism Foundation will provide free counseling sessions for parents of the children identified. Our staff trainers, coordinators, and M&E team will volunteer about 30% of their time to support activities, supervision, and reporting, showing our commitment to local capacity building and volunteerism.

Testimonials
“Before the training, I didn’t know how to help or talk to parents. Now, I feel confident. One student, who was very withdrawn, is now participating actively after early support. This project is truly transforming our schools and communities.” — Primary school teacher, Kinondoni

Start date: August 1 2025

End date: July 31, 2025

+parents learn self care skills for diagnosed kids.

There is a whatsapp group for these parents