Uzbek Team Triumphs in TechWomen Program!
2024-10-30 16:55:00 / News of ministry
The TechWomen program is an esteemed professional exchange initiative designed for girls and women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Participants spend five weeks gaining valuable experience at American companies and working on a social project aimed at benefiting their home countries.
For the first time in nine years of participation, the Uzbek team won and will continue to advance its project titled "Bolajonim" (My Children), which seeks to raise awareness among parents about autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Autism Challenge and Project Objective
In Uzbekistan, early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders remains challenging due to low public awareness, a lack of specialized professionals, and social stigma. This often results in autism being diagnosed only after age five, limiting treatment options and causing developmental delays. Children who are not diagnosed early face difficulties integrating into society and work.
According to U.S. data, one in 36 children is at risk of autism (though data specific to Central Asia is unavailable). Early diagnosis can successfully integrate children into society in 66.67% of cases. However, Uzbekistan's healthcare system, particularly in rural areas, faces significant challenges due to limited infrastructure and a shortage of specialists. Social stigma further discourages many parents from seeking early intervention.
About the "Bolajonim" Project
The "Bolajonim" project offers parents an easy-to-use screening tool for autism in Uzbek via Telegram, using the M-CHAT-R/F method. This simple test will help assess autism risk and provide recommendations for follow-up actions. One of the primary challenges for the project is ensuring access to remote regions.
The project will begin as a pilot in a private clinic that serves 400 children. Plans are in place to expand the initiative to five state clinics and eventually implement it nationwide. By 2026, a fully functional mobile application is expected to be launched, offering telemedicine services and paid consultations.
"My Children" Project Team
The "My Children" project is driven by a team of dedicated women:
- Natalya Ni – Project Manager
- Dinara Rustami – Environmental Consultant / Project Coordinator
- Shohista Ergasheva – Technical Product Manager
- Rano Sidikova – Cooperation Manager
- Dilbar Umarova – Project Manager
With this achievement, the "Bolajonim" project is poised to positively impact countless families in Uzbekistan, promoting greater awareness and creating new opportunities for children with autism.