It is generally accepted among educators and care-givers of children with special needs that it is possible for each child to reach full academic, social and linguistic potential, with proper care and guidance-regardless of the severity of the disability. Operating on this principle, the Trincity-based Strategic Learning and Special Education Institute attends to the needs of children with a range of learning disabilities, and in particular those who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Principal of the Institute Susan De Freitas is adamant that disabilities manifest differently in each child, and it would be a grave injustice to attempt a global approach to treating with any one disability. She explained that the teaching model used-the Developmental, Individual-difference, Relationship-based (DIR) Floortime Approach, is based on an approach developed by the late Stanley Greenspan, former clinical professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at George Washington University Medical School in the US.
"Each child's unique challenges are pinpointed through a comprehensive assessment to determine the milestones that he may have missed. We then create a programme specific to that child, to address these deficiencies and gain mastery of the milestone, thereby enabling the child to successfully climb the developmental ladder," De Freitas said. In addition to spawning the creation of a mentoring programme inclusive of periodic visits from teams specialising in conducting individual student assessment, staff and parent training workshops, the institute's collaboration with the Atlanta school also led to the design of specialised curriculum aimed at educating local students aged 13 to 18, diagnosed with ASD. The Strategic Learning and Special Education Institute determined that their students had gained the potential for a high school level of education, and has begun the pioneering work to make happen. However, both principal and staff recognise these young, budding achievers will continue to depend on learning support throughout their post-primary school years.
De Freitas remains very confident about the positive impact the new curriculum will have on those with ASD in T&T, and maintains that education for children with special needs should be a right and not merely an entitlement. In order to raise much needed funds to get the new curriculum implemented locally, the Institute has planned a walk-a-thon and family day today from 7 am to 2 pm at the Eddie Hart Grounds in Tacarigua. Games, rides, face-painting for the children and a specially-erected information booth on Autism Spectrum Disorder will be featured. Dave Nelson, DIR specialist, Community College in Atlanta will also be present to share insights and field questions from members of the public who are warmly invited to patronise the event.
• For more information contact Susan De Freitas 640-5437.
