Mr. Bren Romney & Ms. Annishka White
The Youth and Culture Department has joined in giving its support to a newly launched Foundation, the Anguilla Ispeak Autism Society, which serves to highlight and address the needs of children who are affected by a spectrum of symptoms related to autism.
Founder and President of the Foundation, Ms. Annishka White, along with two of her associates, met in a press conference with the Director of the Department of Youth and Culture, Mr. Bren Romney, on Monday, March 19th, to receive the department’s commitment and to express the tenets of the Foundation Ispeak.
Director Bren Romney said in the brief press conference: “I am pleased to be here with members of the Anguilla Ispeak Autism Society. The department is particularly pleased to announce that we have agreed to partner with this newly formed organization, whose purpose it is to bring greater awareness among members of the Anguillian community with regards to autism. Cases of autism are obvious in our society, and especially in the life of some of our young people who fall on the spectrum.
“In any situation that affects our young people, it is not only the young persons themselves who are affected, but also their families, their school environment and the community at large. Therefore, as policymakers, we need to ensure that we are doing all we can do to create awareness and provide support services that are necessary for affected persons to thrive.
“I am very pleased with the work of this Foundation, the Ispeak Autism Society. I am pleased with the general trust and purpose behind the organization. We look forward to working together with Ms. Whyte and Ispeak, as we set out to accomplish results in partnership with Government going forward.”
Ms. White, who is the parent of a child with autism, gave a brief address saying: “The vision behind Ispeak is to enable persons who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and developmental delays, to have the opportunity of living a full life where they can maximize their potential and be accepted as an integral part of our society. Our mission is to cater to persons on the spectrum through awareness, and through the provision of mentorship, education, training, counseling, advocacy, community collaboration or any of the services that would improve their quality of life.
“Ispeak came about due to the condition of my daughter. She was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and developmental delays in 2013. At that time, she was showing typical symptoms and signs and was behind in her speech. Subsequently, she was required to travel to Barbados for treatment.
“I have found that the general public is not well educated on these types of special needs conditions. Now, more and more we are hearing of other parents who are experiencing difficulties with children who have autism. It is from this realization that the initiative came about to form a society that will lend support and encouragement to such parents and families.”
Also speaking at the press conference was educator, Charmaine Rey-Richardson who is the Foundation’s Vice President: “I often speak about my own experience growing up,” she said. “I was labeled as a child who was ‘slow’. We need to recognize that children who are ‘slow’ just have developmental delays. They tend to learn differently, and at a slower pace than others.
“For some reasons, however, persons have it difficult to deal with the ‘slower” child. If parents aren’t sharp enough to recognize the problem with autistic children, these children may just fall through the cracks. I was fortunate that my mom recognized my difference to my other siblings, and she sent me off at the age of nine to a country where I could develop and master the areas that I was ‘slow’ in. My motto has always been: “slowness is no excuse for failure.”
Executive Member, Tamara Pradel, another educator also spoke: “As an educator, I have had many experiences with children with special needs on a whole, not only on the autism spectrum. It is important for teachers in the classrooms to understand that children who have autism and special needs know who is genuine and who is not. They know when one is genuine and when he or she is not.”
She said that one of the things she likes about the Anguilla Ispeak Autism Society is that it does not just focus on autistic children, but it caters for children with special needs in general. She noted that much of the learning processes and practices, that are currently employed in the classroom, do not benefit special needs children who require more social interaction rather than paper and pencil work.
According to the President of the Foundation, there is a schedule for an Autism Awareness Campaign slated from March 22nd to March 23rd at the Football Stadium in The Valley. Sessions on both days begin at 8:30 a.m. There will also be a very special support session on Saturday afternoon, March 24th, at 3:00 p.m. at the Guishard’s Conference Room of the Football Stadium. These events will make for special forums to highlight awareness to ASD. The President invites all parents who are concerned about ASD to these events.
Persons or entities who may wish to contribute or give support to the Anguilla Ispeak Autism Society, may call Ms. White at 584 – 1058 or email ispeakaxa@gmail.com.
