Parents of children with autism and related disabilities (including ADHD and Asperger’s Syndrome), took part in and complete an intense training workshop, which was held from 28 February to the 3rd of March. Participants were exposed to the first five modules of a 15-module course in Applied Behavioural Analysis, also known as ABA.
The workshop was hosted by the Department of Mental Health & Substance Dependence in partnership with the Ministry of Education. The department says that the goal of the training was to empower parents of children with special needs and equip them with skills to become effective interventionists in their homes.
Dr. Theo Gossou, a former special education teacher and a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst, and Ms. Sheryl Patterson, a master-level special education teacher and a Board-Certified Inclusive Education Specialist, facilitated the training.
According to the department, parents who attended the training spoke about how thrilled they were to have benefited from the initiative and how comforting it felt to be in a room with other parents who could empathise with their unique challenges.
Director of the Department of Mental Health, Dr. Alicia Malcolm says that the training was very much needed.
The training is set to continue in April 2022 as participants complete the remaining modules in the ABA course. Additionally, the department says that parents of children with special needs can also look forward to ongoing psychosocial support and peer group support.
For more information about this training, initiative contact the Department of Mental Health & Substance Dependence on 649-338-3613 or email mmsimmons@gov.tc
