The Maia Chung Autism and Disabilities Foundation (MCADF)- will be adding two new books to the repertoire of material available at its Autism kiosk located at the Tom Redcam Library in Kingston Jamaica.
The Kiosk is facilitated by the Jamaica Library Service. In April of this year, during global Autism month, the Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association, Adelphi University , the Ruth S. Ammon School of Education, the ASPIRE Centre for Autism and Developmental disabilities at Stony Brook University and several other facilities working in the United States, in the study of Autism - and its related issues; staged a conference to examine certain topics essential to understanding the disorder.
Special Education specialist Lorna Bailey, who is a Jamaican resident in New York, recently donated the resulting conference document titled - "Issues in Independent Living for Adolescents and Adults on the Spectrum" - to the Foundation specifically to assist in augmenting the resources of the kiosk.
Bailey who has been supporting the work of the organisation from the United States, and who was an attendee and participant of the event, sent the document which entails, very valid and well discussed articles on the issues on the theme of the event. The document also contains the outcomes of the various workshops conducted; which includes detailed examinations of several case studies which can be used to help formulate strategies, for coping for those who work in the field or live with Autism.
The examples are very translatable in the Jamaican context, and are filled with ideas that may be implemented in Jamaica as well as other Caribbean countries, with a creative approach.
Among the validity of the document, is its containment of a comprehensive roster of specialists out of that country, which Jamaicans and regionals interested in conducting research with, or organisations wanting help, may now contact with a view to forming partnerships with them to develop the Jamaican and regional coping mechanisms now available. Also with a view to expanding same.
Hopefully, with this roster of facilities, maybe those using the document can invite some of these research organisations - to help educate and train Jamaicans; in the techniques necessary to help combat the negative impacts, of those battling the Autism.
Additionally a comprehensive sponsors list is cited, where local organisations here can liaise with... to seek well needed help for programmes that we currently have active here and which may need resource or financial support.
Of note especially for special education students, at the tertiary and post graduate level , the document entails articles such as "Asperger Syndrome in Adulthood - Does Diagnosis Matter?" - by Linda Geller Phd. And others that can provide assistance in gaining a global view that should help Jamaicans in their strategies in coping with the disorder.
This resource while grounded in a United States context, actually has relevant examinations that can be applied elsewhere in the world and modified to fit comparable circumstances - such as in Jamaica.
Issues in Independent Living for Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum will be a part of the Autism Kiosk at the Tom Redcam in Kingston Jamaica - as at July 1 -2011.
According to Managing Director of the MCADF, the Diaspora has been very generous in helping build the resources of the kiosk, as these individuals have access to the varied texts available on the subject matter - at costs that are not prohibitive like here in Jamaica.
This kiosk while being started to help the general public glean more knowledge on the subject matter, has morphed into a very valid useful tool for students studying all sorts of related subject matters - in line with Autism and disabilities.
The Kiosk is facilitated ably by the staff and team of the Jamaica Library Service - specifically operated by the Tom Redcam staff, who have been extremely supportive in keeping the functioning of the mechanism at top form.
Chung says that - "we had one lady who works at the library, that said I have nothing to so with Autism but the books are so fascinating, I couldn't stop reading and I have learned at lot".
Chung adds, "that's a major victory right there... much less the persons who previously did not have sufficient texts or resources to help them study the issues of Autism to make them more relevant here".
The Kiosk is open free to the public Monday to Saturday during regular library hours at the Tom Redcam facility.
It contains DVD's of locally produced Autism programmes as well as radio recordings of Autism programmes aire about Autism and disabilities in Jamaica, providing students and persons with , indigenous examples - which can help in development of a more effective management strategy.
Also to be added to the kiosk is a copy of The Maia Chung Autism and Disabilities Foundation's first publication, Maia's Take, the founder of the MCADF's first book. The book will be a lending copy to make it accessible to the public. All proceeds from the sale of Maia's Take which is not about Autism are to fund the Foundation's work.
