(EMU) St. Kitts, January 18, 2016 – Eight educators within the Federation are now Certified Autism Specialists following special training facilitated by Autism expert Dr. Sheryl Rosin, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, at the University of Medicine and Health Sciences on January 5-6.
Participants included, a Student Support Officer; Supervisor of Early Childhood; the Coordinator of Learning Support; Principal of Cotton- Thomas Comprehensive; an Education Officer (Nevis); Rehab specialist and two Speech and Language specialists. This workshop was the second phase of a four-phased project venture in which Dr. Rosin has partnered with the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis’ Ministry of Education. The partnership also includes the University of Medical Health Sciences, Marshall’s Restaurant and Royal St. Kitts Hotel.
Phases three and four consist of an Early Diagnostic and Intervention Centre and Continuing Education by way of training. The first phase was conducted in early September 2015, with a workshop comprising forty-five teachers from around the Federation who work with children that have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Dr. Rosin, who is a leading speech and language pathologist, stressed the need for early intervention, as well as helping children with their social skills and learning. In addition to the workshop, she has set up a free clinic for families with autistic children slated for 7th and 8th January. “I am also providing a free two day clinic, where I would bring in families and assess them for free as well as give resources, and connect them with the teachers that I have trained.”
Among the cohort of eight participants, two who are Nevis based while the others reside in St. Kitts. Ms. Josephine Claxton Richardson, Learning Support Coordinator at the Curriculum Development Unit, also the Coordinator for the Autism Certification Programme, indicated that, “The Ministry of Education has been very instrumental in ensuring that the Programme comes on stream because they recognize the importance of having persons here on island that are specialized in diagnosing Autism.”
Dr. Rosin conducts research on evidence-based practice for children with autism. She is a Professional Education Instructor and is currently a consultant for the PLAY Project, an evidence-based autism early-intervention program.
Autism is a disorder that affects the brain and the development of the child’s social skills, communication, and sensory system. It causes self-isolation, hyper sensitivity to sight, sound, taste, touch, smell, repetitive motor movements and negative behaviours such as screaming, kicking, biting, etc. that make it difficult for the person to integrate with others.
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