Autism is a neurological disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, behavior. Prevalence is 1 of 59; best hope for effective social and family integration is special education. Emphasis in fostering communication skills is key to children's development. When communication limitations are properly addressed the impact on behavior and learning is tremendous. We are a non-for profit program and for many with autism the only educational alternative in Venezuela.
We seek to provide materials tools, classroom dynamics, and the necessary teacher training to develop and foster verbal and non-verbal communication skills in every child and adolescent in our educational community. However, Venezuela's economic collapse and hyperinflation are severely restricting the possibility of providing and accessing the training services and educational material we need. We are earnestly struggling to meet our children's needs.
To continue addressing successfully the talent, expertise and challenges of providing educational materials through thinking out-of-the-box, without jeopardizing our services. We are currently using the picture exchange communication system (PECS) imbedded in our structured teaching classroom dynamics and skill-based curriculum. We are an organization receiving long-distance, continuous and recurrent PECS, personnel and parent-training workshops, and are implementing a train-the-trainer program.
The ability to communicate plays an important role in every aspect of human life, and is closely linked to the behavioral challenges associated to autism. We are committed to continuously and successfully addressing the unique communication challenges faced by our 110 children and adolescents with autism, and to learn, improve, and become a role model in autism education in Venezuela. We are a private, non-for profit organization, serving more than 450 families annually through our programs.