Workshop combats 'mindblindness'
The Parents Association for Children with Autism will hold its second workshop on March 24 at the Joeten Kiyu Library conference room from 8am to 11am.
Characterized by Newsweek Magazine as “A Challenge of Mindblindness,” Autism has recently attracted national attention when members of the US Congress recognized the need to address this bewildering syndrome.
This Saturday’s workshop will bring parents, health and educational care providers, program designers and policy makers together to identify the challenges facing children with autism in the CNMI and to generate practical proposals to deal with those challenges.
Dr. Adrian Brenn of the Mental Health office recently reported 14 children diagnosed with autism. PACA revealed that one of its members has decided to move back to Minnesota to provide her child adequate medical and educational attention. This will entail financial and psychological strain on the family who will be bi-located.
Ann Quick, PSS Special Education coordinator, reported that a projected special class for children with autism is being delayed by the absence of teachers qualified to start such a program.
“We have the room in one of our elementary schools,” she said, “and we are still optimistic that by August, we will be able to locate the qualified staffing that we need.”
The shortage of Special Education specialist in the PSS has heightened parents awareness to the need for more parents’ involvement in care of children with special needs.
“Autism is only one form of developmental disability,” Frank D. Cabrera, PACA President and acting Chair of the DD Council said, “and when we strengthen our capacity as parents and care providers to address this disability, we strengthen our ability to care for the rest of the disabled, as well.”
Mr. Cabrera is counting on the legislators who were invited to attend the workshop “to roll up their sleeves with us and tackle the mindblindness challenge in the CNMI.”
