Training Session for Educational Support Workers for Children with Autism Concludes

Ifrane – The first training session dedicated to preparing educational support workers for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within inclusive communities concluded Sunday in Ifrane, after three days of workshops focused on strengthening skills and improving support practices.

This session, held from November 6 to 8 under the theme “Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Fundamentals of Educational and Psychological Support,” is part of the preparations for upcoming inclusive summer camps and efforts to promote the inclusion of children with disabilities.

This initiative aims to equip educational support workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide support tailored to the specific needs of children with autism, fostering their autonomy and participation in community life.

Speaking at the event, the Minister Delegate for Social Inclusion, Rachid Hamouni, emphasized that this training represents a crucial step in preparing the educational teams tasked with supervising inclusive residences. He highlighted the essential role of institutional partners and civil society, particularly associations, in achieving the established objectives.

Despite progress in legislation and programs dedicated to inclusion, their effective implementation and impact on the daily lives of beneficiaries remain dependent on close cooperation among the various stakeholders, he noted.

The official also stressed the importance of combining the participants’ field experience with academic knowledge and expertise to develop support approaches tailored to the needs of the children involved.

The goal, he explained, is to enable children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to thrive in inclusive environments that foster their independence and provide them with the necessary conditions to lead lives as ordinary as possible, just like their peers.

In this regard, he emphasized that inclusive residences are not merely recreational spaces, but also represent an opportunity to continue support and social inclusion programs, in line with the Royal vision that prioritizes the needs of people with disabilities.

The Minister also mentioned the programs undertaken by his department, notably “Rafiq” and “Rafiq Plus,” which aim to enhance the professional skills of people with disabilities, including those with autism spectrum disorder, and to develop new professions related to social and educational support.

These initiatives, he indicated, address the need for specialized human resources capable of supporting social changes and meeting the growing needs of families.

He also mentioned the ongoing efforts to raise awareness about autism, with a third campaign planned for the end of March, as well as the strengthening of partnerships, particularly with the Royal Moroccan Federation of Sports for People with Disabilities.

For his part, Samir Ayadi, the deputy president of the Mosaïque association, emphasized that this training is part of an integrated project conducted in partnership with the Ministry Delegate for Social Inclusion and the Ministry of Solidarity.

This project aims, in particular, to train educational support workers to participate in inclusive camps organized throughout the Kingdom for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), he explained.

He noted that this group of children continues to face a shortage of specialized support, particularly in terms of activities, recreation, and social support, stressing that training is a crucial lever for improving the quality of services offered.

The beneficiaries of this session, drawn primarily from community and educational sectors, include teachers, students, mothers, and special education specialists.

The project also includes the development of a practical guide for educational support workers, aimed at harmonizing intervention methods and strengthening the capacities of support teams, he added, noting that the second edition of this training program will be launched soon as part of preparations for the upcoming summer season, with the goal of gradually expanding the number of children benefiting.