UPDATE: New Autism Centre officially opened
Ms Lorna Dawson, Programme Director at the Centre, thanked the residents of Lower Estate who helped to ease their concerns in settling into the location by assisting around the centre and helping with moving clients of the centre around.
She noted that the aim at the Centre was to “provide whatever intervention is needed, whether you’re low-functioning, you’re high-functioning or you’re in-between.”
Ms Dawson said that the Centre will be catering to children as well as adults and stated that there were currently five adults attending regular sessions at the centre and the numbers were expected to increase.
She commended the staff for their good work in helping to prepare the centre and getting it ready in time for the opening.
The new Autism Centre was designed to facilitate the learning needs of persons, particularly those with autism and persons having severe challenges with their communication skills.
The 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.
The Rainbow Children's Home was chosen to pilot an autism project for the Virgin Islands 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 would have provided US$381,529 for the establishment of the programme and Kingwood Trust would have provided specialist support and training.
“Parents, caregivers and professionals now have an avenue in which to learn and become better equipped to cater to the needs of the autism population in the BVI. My Government is keen to begin this new direction with a sense of renewed hope for children as well as adults with autism,” Premier Dr. The Honourable D. Orlando Smith had said in April.
Honourable Smith had also said that Government recognised that autism is a growing challenge and encouraged the public to support each other whenever possible, adding, “We recognise that the well-being of the differently-able population is crucial to their own personal development and overall in building a better Virgin Islands for all.”
Meanwhile, Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon. Ronnie Skelton had said the autism programme would be offered free to persons and would initially run for a period of 18 to 24 months.
Government, he said, would provide the necessary funding and support for the project, including renovating and enhancing the Rainbow Home.
It was pointed out at the time that there are some 8 adults and 25 children diagnosed with autism.
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20 Responses to “UPDATE: New Autism Centre officially opened”
THE BLOG IS FOR GENUINE COMMENTS - NOT PR FOR ANY POLITICAL PARTY. GET LOST
Recent data suggest about 1 in 100 US children has some form of autism, which ranges from mild to severe problems with behaviour, communication and socialisation....something to think about people