Begimai Izmailova: “SILC grant is a great opportunity for students”

May 4, 2016

The Student Intellectual Life Committee (SILC) supports student-initiated projects, professional development opportunities, and student research. It awards small grants every month to AUCA students.

Begimai Izmailova, a senior in the psychology department at the American University of Central Asia (AUCA), tells us how to get a SILC grant.

Why did you decide to apply for an SILC grant?  

I applied for the grant to do my research on the diagnosis of autism in children and the well-being of their parents. I decided to apply to SILC so that I could purchase a reliable and valid instrument (ADI-R) that diagnoses autism. Due to the lack of specialists and reliable instruments to diagnose autism, it was important to adapt an already developed and practiced diagnostic method in our country. This will help us differentiate and find early symptoms of autism in children. With autism, the early we intervene the better. Moreover, it will help parents reduce their anxiety and stress regarding their child’s development and education. I conducted thirty interviews and tests with caregivers of children with autism. It was great practice in my area of study and I also experienced how to conduct interviews with the participants. I had the chance to learn more about children with autism and other disabilities, how they develop, and the environment in which they are raised and educated. Also, it showed me how parents are dealing with the stress of raising children with disabilities.

When did you get your grant from SILC?  

I applied for the grant on November 13, and December 17, I got grant.

How was the application process?

It took a while for SILC to decide whether or not to give us the grant. This was our first time applying for this kind of grant, and we thought we had no chance of receiving the grant. We were informed that our head of department was invited to talk with SILC. She explained more of the specifics of our research, and in the end we got the grant.

How did you find out about SILC?

I had heard about SILC before from friends and from their web page. Our professor recommend we apply for an SILC grant in order to purchase the (ADI-R) diagnostic instrument.

Do you have any advice for your classmates?

SILC grant is a great opportunity and great help for students to develop and research something new and useful. Therefore, it is important to state your idea/view very clearly when you are writing application.

Words of gratitude to SILC and their donors.

I am very grateful that SILC and their donors gave me the opportunity to purchase adequate equipment and conduct my research. This work will increase early diagnosis in the existing training centers as well as developing centers. I should note, the ADI-R instrument will be used at AUCA for the future research and studies.

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