The pilot project between Government and Hand in Hand Ltd aimed at children with autism has started to deliver positive results and will be beneficial if we keep building on this success, said Member of European Parliament Miriam Dalli after visiting the Hand in Hand Ltd.’s facilities.

Hand in Hand ltd. offers an intensive therapy programme based on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) for children with autism. This alternative facility is currently offering a programme aimed at teaching children with autism to speak, to develop social skills and to develop other skills that will enable the child to live independently

This facility is currently offering its services to 120 children. 12 children are benefitting from the pilot project following an agreement between Government and Hand in Hand ltd.

Jacqueline Abela de Giovanni, CEO at Hand in Hand Ltd., explained how all teachers in this school are specialised and qualified professionals ensuring that children receive the best ABA therapy possible.

ABA is a therapy used in some European states, such as Ireland wherein this type of therapy is offered at a young age as an early intervention method.

Miriam Dalli highlighted that different types of therapy exist for children with different needs.

Therapy for children with autism is an investment in society to ascertain that, in the future, they can lead an independent life in which they can work and actively participate in everyday life, MEP Dalli said.

Dalli called for an educational system that adapts to the different abilities of children and is flexible enough to address their different needs.

“We have to focus on equity, where the necessary tools for them to succeed are provided to children according to their needs. It is only through this method that we can ascertain that all children progress and nobody lags behind,” concluded Dalli.