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Autism In the Classroom

“If they can't learn the way we teach, we teach the way they learn” - O. Ivar Lovaas In March 2012, Centre for Disease Control reported that the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) was 1 in every 88 children. With this startling report of very high incidence of the disorder, it is now more likely than before that children with ASD will likely have to be served in the mainstream classroom in one way or another. It is important, however, that an appropriate programme is developed for these children, taking into consideration their special learning needs. In Jamaica, a select number of schools offer spaces to children with ASD, with many of these schools recommending that these children be accompanied by a “Shadow”. What is most important, however, is that students with ASD, once in a school setting have a specially developed Individual Education Plan (IEP) that outlines specific and individualized goals and objectives for that student. From this IEP, parents shoul...

Occupational Therapist - The Advocate Part I

This blog is a paper wirtten by the Programme Director of McCam Centre Mrs. Pauline Watson Campbell, OT MSc, for the 9th Biennual Conference on Occupational Therapy presented by the Assocation Of Caribbean Occupational Therapist (ACOT). "The Role of Occupational Therapists as advocates for persons with disabilities (PWDs) – a report on promoting SRH for AWDs in Jamaica" This paper is not based on a theoretical model or framework. It is a composite of my experience as an advocate for persons with disabilities in Jamaica. It is clear to me that as an occupational therapist in a situation where there are limited resources and ignorance surrounding the needs of persons with disabilities, one cannot avoid adopting an attitude of advocating for improvement in the situation surrounding people’s lives. Advocacy is the pursuit of influencing outcomes — including public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions — that ...