Debunking myths of autism, the Guyana Greenheart Autistic Society strives to bring a hidden issue to the forefront
Autism is one of a group of serious developmental problems called autism spectrum disorders that appear in early childhood. While there is no cure for autism, intensive, early intervention can make a big difference in the lives of many children with the disorder.
This is the goal of the Guyana Greenheart Autistic Society.
The organisation is a registered non-governmental, non-profit charitable organisation that addresses Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It was registered on September 12, 2010 and is located at 252 Quamina Street, South Cummingsburg.
As no cure yet exists for autism, the goal of treatment is to maximize the child’s ability to function by reducing autism symptoms and supporting development and learning.
With that in mind, the Guyana Greenheart Autistic Society’s objectives are to enhance the educational, behavioural and therapeutic well-being of people living with autism in Guyana, and to ensure those autistic individuals and their families/caregivers in Guyana benefit from the work of the organisation. It also aims to motivate its membership and the general public to participate in activities designed and formulated to enhance the self-help skills, educational attainment and participation in society to their fullest individual potential of all autistic persons in Guyana.
Additionally, the organisation helps to develop and enhance educational and therapeutic opportunities for children and young adults through the establishment and management of the Guyana Greenheart Autistic Society. The society provides individualised targets based on professional assessment and develops appropriate strategies in order to access all types of resources to improve, facilitate and raise the profile of the organization and also the potential of autistic persons in Guyana.
Speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, headmistress and autism special needs educator Andrea Hutson, said through the society they educate and improve the awareness of all families of children and adults with autism, of all aspects of intervention strategies which have proven beneficial in enhancing their potential. They also actively promote awareness of autism among policy makers, the medical and health professions, and the wider public, through media and lectures, workshops, facts sheet, interviews and outreach throughout Guyana.
Hutson said that the society was formed by two parents, Karen Williams and her husband, whose daughter, Sorsha, is autistic. Sorsha was diagnosed with autism after her father, while watching the Oprah Winfrey Show, recognised she was displaying some of the symptoms associated with the condition.
Sorsha’s parents noticed that she had excellent retention skills and ability to grasp concepts, and so worked with her to channel her energies in the right direction. By means of this, Karen and her husband decided to open the society and school to help autistic children and their parents.
“The society and the school are housed at one building. Dealing with autism requires a lot of manpower. Being autistic is not a disability, it is a gifted ability. A lot of parents do not realise this and so they live in denial, keeping their autistic children at home. This is wrong because with early intervention these children can grow up to be successful individuals,” the headmistress explained.
Currently, the school has 14 children from ages 4 to 17. Hutson pointed out that the children are not grouped according to age but by their learning abilities. The school uses puzzles and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) tools to help autistic children as they are visual learners and will follow what they see.
Hutson also pointed out that there is also the “stringing” technique, where the children are taught how to insert strings in buttons or beads, which helps with the children’s coordination and motor skills.
“Some people say that these children are retarded, but that’s not the case. They are slow learners. With early developmental intervention these children can be helped. There is mild to severe autism. In the severe case there is nothing much you can do for them except teaching them motor skills like combing their hair, brushing their teeth and bathing. With mild autism, which has different levels, early intervention is crucial. These ones start off slow but develop quickly. I have worked with Sorsha who, at first, was adamant in following instructions. However, with the support of her parents and teachers, she is excelling so wonderfully. She loves writing, although autistic children don’t like writing. We have had many success stories with the other children,” she disclosed.
Of note, the teachers at the school are all trained by overseas professionals to care for autistic children. For instance, Hutson is qualified in childcare management and has worked with the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre. She is also a mother of five.
As a non-profit organisation, Hutson mentioned that they largely depend on donations from kind-hearted citizens and fundraising activities. The children are also required to pay a small monthly fee.
“For us at the society, our love working with these children has motivated us to keep on doing it. If you don’t love what you do you will never be motivated to give your all in making it successful. Also, I want parents who may be keeping their autistic children home and are afraid to bring them out, to see that we are not only trained but we are willing to help. There are many famous persons who are autistic. What we need in Guyana is for more funding to be invested to help care for autistic persons. Guyana Greenheart Autistic Society is happy to accept more children so I’m encouraging parents to visit us and we will guide them through the process,” she pleaded.
For more information on this organisation call 225-8935.
