It begins with understanding.
According to data from Your Dreams, one in every 36 children has autism spectrum disorder. In Vietnam, it is estimated that there are currently more than one million people on the autism spectrum. In Da Nang alone, the Pediatrics Department of the Rehabilitation Hospital has at times operated at over capacity, reaching 192.5%.
Behind those numbers are thousands of families silently enduring a stressful journey: struggling to identify early signs, lacking knowledge of intervention, lacking an inclusive environment, and often facing invisible stigma from the community.
Established in 2018 and affiliated with JCI Da Nang – a chapter of the Junior Chamber International (JCI ) – the Your Dreams project began with activities supporting disadvantaged children. Upon delving deeper into the community and realizing that many families with children with autism spectrum disorder still lack the necessary knowledge and support, Your Dreams chose to focus on spreading accurate awareness about autism, supporting parents and teachers in early identification, and empowering parents through standardized intervention knowledge, aiming to help children integrate and develop better.
For children with autism spectrum disorder, time is especially crucial. Missing the "golden" period means that their opportunities for language development, communication skills, and social integration gradually diminish.
“What worries us most is not only the difficulties faced by the children, but also the lack of knowledge among many parents. Some parents discover the problem late because they think their child will learn to speak on their own. In that case, the intervention process becomes much more difficult,” shared Luong Thanh Tu, Director of the Your Dreams project.
According to project members, autistic children need not just a few hours of therapy each week, but a living environment filled with understanding and patience for long-term daily support. Therefore, from programs like "Walking Alongside Your Child," "Things Your Child Hasn't Said," and "30 Minutes of Quality Time Each Day as Your Child's Friend," to a series of workshops for parents, the project aims to help parents better understand their child's development and learn how to connect with their child through empathy rather than pressure.
"Some parents were initially confused, even blaming themselves, when they learned their child had autism spectrum disorder. But after working with them, they gradually understood that the important thing is not to try to make their child normal, but to find ways to help their child develop in a way that suits their abilities," emphasized Ms. Nguyen Thi Ai, a professional advisor for the project.
Having worked in education and run early intervention centers for many years, Ms. Ai believes the biggest obstacle today comes from societal perception. Many people still view autism as a disease that needs to be cured. However, what these children need first and foremost is proper understanding. "When the community changes its perspective, opportunities for children's integration will truly open up," she said.
According to Ms. Ai, each autistic child perceives and reacts to the world in their own unique way. Sometimes, these differences make communication more difficult, but that doesn't mean they don't desire connection. By delving into the child's inner world, adults will realize that behind the communication or behavioral deficits lies a soul rich in emotions, simply choosing a different way to connect with the world around them.
It's not just a community project.
In 2025, Your Dreams was honored with the “2025 Best Local Global Goals Project” award at the JCI Vietnam Awards & Recognition Ceremony – a milestone recognizing the persistent journey of the project team. But for those involved in the project, the greatest value lies in the quiet change within each family.
"What makes us happiest is when parents no longer feel alone on their journey with their children. There are families who had almost withdrawn from society, but after months of companionship, they begin to open up, begin to believe that their children can still thrive and live happily," Mr. Tú said.
This year, in addition to the workshop "Sensory Processing Disorder - Barriers and Challenges" aimed at equipping parents with foundational knowledge about children's sensory processing disorders, Your Dreams is also implementing a swimming program for children with autism spectrum disorder to support their concentration and sensory regulation abilities.
In particular, by launching the "The World Through My Eyes" painting contest and organizing an art exhibition, the project hopes to help the public see autistic children from a different perspective: not just as children who need support, but also as individuals rich in emotions and creativity.
From early activities supporting children in mountainous regions to today's specialized programs for children with autism spectrum disorder, Your Dreams has traveled a 7-year journey with over 40 workshops and training programs, supporting more than 200 children in early screening for signs of developmental disorders.
More than just a project aimed at children with autism spectrum disorder, Your Dreams is also a journey of supporting families learning to walk alongside their children with understanding and patience. Along this journey, small hopes are quietly nurtured through each workshop, each class, and each supportive activity that Your Dreams persistently provides to children and their families.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/de-khac-biet-khong-la-rao-can-3337840.html
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