Uzbekistan team wins TechWomen 2024 with groundbreaking autism awareness project

The Uzbekistan team has claimed victory in the prestigious TechWomen 2024 program with their innovative project, "Bolajonim," a social initiative aimed at enhancing awareness and early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Uzbekistan.

The team, which participated in a five-week STEM exchange program across various U.S. companies, achieved the first win for Uzbekistan in this competition in nearly a decade.

"Bolajonim" is dedicated to addressing critical issues surrounding ASD in Uzbekistan, where early diagnosis, social stigma, and a scarcity of specialized professionals have posed significant challenges for parents and caregivers. The team developed a practical solution: a Telegram-based screening tool available in the Uzbek language, empowering parents to assess potential autism risks early.

The project is set to launch initially in a private clinic, where it will screen 400 children, before expanding to public clinics and a broader national rollout by 2026.

As part of its future objectives, "Bolajonim" will introduce a telemedicine application, extending its reach to families across Uzbekistan and enabling long-term support for those affected by ASD.