Bridging borders: Empowering caregivers worldwide

Last month, I had the privilege of traveling to the country of Georgia as part of the Professional Fellows Program. This unique fellowship fosters cross-cultural exchange, providing an opportunity to share knowledge and learn from the dedicated professionals and families supporting autistic people in Georgia.

Our exchange began two years ago when Nino Tskvitishvili, a behavioral analyst and supervisor at Georgia’s Open House autism program, spent time with Autism Speaks in Washington, D.C., learning about autism advocacy and inclusive education in the U.S. During her visit, she was introduced to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Caregiver Skills Training (CST) program, which Autism Speaks helps implement around the world.  

“When I visited Autism Speaks two years ago, I got a small introduction to CST,” says Nino. “I read the curriculum and I liked it very much, and I thought it would be a really good thing for Georgia because we have some interventions in place, but they’re for children, not parents. Unfortunately, without parents, you can't have meaningful outcomes, so that's why we decided to have a project about CST.” 

My visit to Georgia was the next step in this exchange, bringing these experiences full circle and providing an opportunity to explore how CST could be adapted to meet the needs of Georgian families. CST is a low-cost, evidence-based intervention that teaches caregivers practical skills to support their child’s development through play and everyday interactions. In Georgia, where autism interventions are scarce and largely located in big cities, CST has the potential to fill a critical gap. 

The power of connection

During my visit, I introduced CST to local autism centers and government officials from the Ministry of Health. While I was there to share my expertise, I also learned so much from the people I met. What stood out to me the most was the enthusiasm and dedication of the leaders of Open House—three remarkable women who founded their center to support underserved families of children with disabilities. Their determination to improve services despite limited resources was deeply inspiring

The challenges they face, such as cultural stigma, lack of access to diagnostic services and inadequate support for inclusive education, echo some of the struggles we have in the U.S. But their willingness to collaborate and implement new programs and strategies shows the power of grassroots leadership to drive meaningful change.

Beyond the professional exchange, this fellowship also offered me a rich cultural experience. From touring ancient cathedrals to sharing a traditional Georgian “supra,” a feast prepared by Nino’s family, I experienced the warmth and generosity of Georgian hospitality. 

Looking ahead

Since returning home, I’ve been reflecting on the potential this fellowship has created. Nino and the leaders of Open House are determined to implement CST at their center, leveraging partnerships to translate the materials and make the program accessible to Georgian families.

Through this fellowship, we’ve begun to lay the groundwork for change, showing the power of global collaboration in advancing autism services. I look forward to continuing this partnership and working together to create a brighter future for people with autism and their families, wherever they live.