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More than 25 persons seen in initial Autism assessments- Programme Director

- At least 8 verified as being somewhere within Autism spectrum
Programme Director, Lorna Dawson said that over 25 persons had already been seen in the initial Autism assessments with at least 8 being verified as being somewhere on the Autism spectrum. Photo:VINO
Project Manager of the Maria Holder Memorial Trust, Ms Donna Clarke offered her assurance that her Trust would ensure that those in need would receive the necessary care to help them integrate into society. Photo:VINO
Project Manager of the Maria Holder Memorial Trust, Ms Donna Clarke offered her assurance that her Trust would ensure that those in need would receive the necessary care to help them integrate into society. Photo:VINO
Susan Williams, Project Manager of the Kingwood Trust reminded attendees of the six key areas the programme was designed to address. Photo:VINO
Susan Williams, Project Manager of the Kingwood Trust reminded attendees of the six key areas the programme was designed to address. Photo:VINO
Some of the dignitaries at the opening ceremony as they toured the new facility [L-R] Premier Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith, Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, Minister for Health and Social Development Ronnie W. Skelton, At-Large Representative Hon. Archibald Christian and Governor Boyd McLeary. Photo:VINO
Some of the dignitaries at the opening ceremony as they toured the new facility [L-R] Premier Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith, Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, Minister for Health and Social Development Ronnie W. Skelton, At-Large Representative Hon. Archibald Christian and Governor Boyd McLeary. Photo:VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Programme Director at the Autism Centre, Ms Lorna Dawson, revealed that the Centre has seen more than 25 children to date; she expressed however, that not all of them would be diagnosed with Autism.

ut of the number of persons that were initially screened, she noted, there were already at least ten persons “who have gone further, where the recommendation was made that they need to be diagnosed.” She further revealed that results were being awaited but out of the ten persons at least 8 of them were “somewhere on the [Autism] spectrum”.

The Centre initially started with 5 adult clients and 2 students and Ms Dawson expressed her gratification that there was now a concern about what is happening with autistic persons in the Territory.

She said, “we now have people on the ground who have the skills to provide that initial assessment… that initial screening to see whether we need to take it further.”

Ms Dawson anticipated that as persons became aware of the Centre, the numbers being treated would increase and it was expected that the Centre would be able to provide the necessary services for clients.

The Rainbow Children's Home was chosen to pilot an autism project for the Virgin Islands (VI) through collaboration with the United Kingdom's Kingwood Trust and a financier agreement with the Maria Holder Memorial Trust based in Barbados.

On April 24, 2012 Government inked contracts with both groups through which Maria Holder Memorial Trust provided US$381,529 for the establishment of the programme while Kingwood Trust was responsible for specialist support and training.

Representing The Maria Holder Memorial Trust, Project Manager Ms Donna Clarke expressed her delight that the project had finally materialised. She added that “there is still so much to know about autism and it is heart-warming to know that we are helping to provide the necessary education and training for persons involved in this vitally important programme.”

She offered her assurance that her Trust would continue in their efforts to work with the Government of the VI to “ensure that those that those in need received the care which would help them to integrate into society thus ensuring that they lived more meaningful and productive lives.”

Susan Williams, Project Manager of Kingwood Trust, reminded persons of the six key areas that the programme was designed to address.

She outlined these as being Health & Diagnosis, Assessment and Diagnosis of adults, Training (a preferred element of the programme), Respite Care, Parental Support Care and the Autism Centre itself.

After the cutting of the ribbon to officially open the Centre, attendees were taken on a guided tour of the facility, which is located on the top floor of the Rainbow Children’s Home in Lower Estate.

The newly opened facility includes a classroom, kitchen, laundry room and an observation room and according to Government, attendees of the programme will be engaged in other activities as part of their person-centered plan developed to help improve their quality of life.

Among the special guests at the opening ceremony, were Premier Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith, Hon. Archibald Christian and Governor Boyd McLeary. Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton delivered the opening remarks of the ceremony while Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn also shared remarks of his own.

The new Autism Centre was designed to facilitate the learning needs of persons, particularly those with autism and persons having severe challenges with communication skills.

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