Non-specialist delivery of the WHO Caregiver Skills Training Programme for children with developmental disabilities: Stakeholder perspectives about acceptability and feasibility in rural Ethiopia.

This study reports stakeholder views about acceptability and feasibility, not measured child or caregiver outcomes. The qualitative sample came from a pre-pilot and a pilot trial, so it cannot show how the programme works at scale. Caregivers were interviewed after different stages of the programme, which may have affected their responses. Because no other services were available, participants may have given socially desirable positive responses. The primary author was a CST master trainer and supervisor, which may have biased interpretation. The sample was purposive and from rural districts with low literacy, so views may not apply to other settings. The study did not include views of autistic people or people with developmental disabilities themselves.

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. The study was funded by Autism Speaks and by a Joint Global Health Trials grant from the Medical Research Council, Department of Health and Social Care, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and Wellcome Trust. Some authors also received support from the National Institute for Health Research.

Do not read this as evidence that the programme improves children's communication, behaviour, or caregiver skills. It reports what caregivers and facilitators said about acceptability and feasibility, not measured outcomes.