For the past year the Autism Focus Group (subcomittee NPSPD) has worked very hard to highligh the needs of children with Autism. So far we have tried to keep in constant contact with the Education Division so that all reforms will take into consideration the learning needs of these children. However, as a group we believe that learning is a very complex issue and this should not only consider the child’s development at school but most of all their learning from home. Parents of the “average” child do not need guidance as how to teach their children. Most children learn spontaneously and through imitation from their siblings or parents.

A child with autism needs more than that. They need structure and an environment with minimal distractions . They need intensive speech therapy and occupational therapy to develop certain skills. Since all children have different needs, parents need to evaluate, together with their therapists, the needs of their child. Some need to increase their attention span. Others need to improve social and communication skills. Others need behaviour management and the list can go further... All this cannot be done without the hard work of parents. Parents need to be encouraged to provide their children with constant opportunities to learn and it is for this reason that the Autism Group has organised a number of talks for parents.

Our aim is to empower parents and to provide them with all possible material and information to help them establish the learning needs of their child. We need to educate the younger parents since early intervention is a primary requisite for children with autism. So far we have had talks which included “How to Manage Family Life”, “Difficulties Parents Encounter”, “Life After School Hours”, “Promoting Development”, “Communication and Iinteraction”, “Social Stories”, and “Alternative or Augmentative Communication”. These services are all done voluntarily by the parents themselves or very few professionals who choose to give their input free of charge!

Parent to parent support

Another important element of the group is the provision of parent to parent support. When parents meet together they feel that they are not alone. We try to help each other to overcome some of the problems we encounter. We discuss issues which are common to all, such as education and social awareness and financial support. It feels good to know you are not alone, however, since each child is different, parents carry their own burden 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Autism is a condition that leaves parents unable to plan ahead or unable to predict the outcome of an event or a change in circumstance since when all seems well the child reminds us about autism once again. They may undergo severe tantrums, increased challenging behaviour, regression in their development, increased impulsiveness within the school environment or some aggression due to frustration. Every stage of development could be a trauma for the child and the parents, starting from their first holy communion, puberty, education after the age of 16 and adulthood which are only the first 20 years of their life.

We are in 2007 when there are more children with autism. Isn’t it about time that the authorities provide parent support and education? How about implementing diverse teaching and multi level learning in our schools? Wouldn’t the need for assigning facilitators to one student be reduced? Such methods will reach more students and not only those who have an auditory mode of learning but also those who are visual learners and those who need hands on experiences to learn! Which leaves us too many questions about the years beyond.... Are the authorities thinking of residential homes and assistants for independent living and what about allowances? When are direct payments going to be introduced?

Sandra Borg

Coordinator

Autism Focus Group