April is Autism Awareness Month and Rosanne Farley, the mother of an autistic child and a dedicated advocate for individuals with autism, has made good use of the occasion to open a centre to bring awareness of the condition.
The Early Childhood Services centre opened on World Autism Awareness Day (April 2, 2024), with a mission to provide essential support and intervention services to children on the spectrum and their families. Having spent the past eight years working part-time in the field, Farley’s personal experience of raising a daughter with autism inspired her to launch the centre.
“I was providing screening, interventions and guidance to parents who have children on the spectrum,” she explained.
According to Farley, her journey with her daughter, who was diagnosed with mild-to-moderate autism at the age of two, was filled with challenges and worries.
“… There was literally nowhere offering intervention services. I was devastated and worried. She did attend speech therapy at GPHC [Guyana Public Hospital Corporation] but not on a consistent basis. I committed myself to learning all I could about the condition and the strategies to help her. Over the years I would have attended every training or workshop available to me so I can acquire the skills necessary to work with her. Whereas she started out with several challenges that are common for children with autism and I was concerned that she may not be able to cope at a mainstream school, she has exceeded my expectations. Some of the symptoms she presented were poor eye contact, aloofness, delayed speech, poor social skills, restricted interests in toys and television shows, among other things. She has overcome many hurdles… For this reason, I am a strong advocate for early intervention and consistent parental support. It really does make a difference,” she said.
Drawing from her personal experiences, Farley envisions her centre making a significant difference in the lives of individuals with autism and their families. By providing screening, intervention, and training programmes for teachers, she aims to raise awareness, debunk myths, and equip parents and teachers with the tools to support children on the spectrum effectively.
“There are so many people who still do not know about autism… There are teachers who may not know about the condition and need training on how to help learners on the spectrum. In these respects, as well as through other initiatives I want to dismantle the stigma surrounding autism and equip parents and teachers to work with children on the spectrum,” she said.
In the short time that the centre’s doors were opened, she has already conducted training for teachers in mainstream schools in autism education (on April 6) and another of the same nature is planned for the month of May. Currently offering screening, intervention, and teacher training programmes, the Early Childhood Services centre is dedicated to inclusivity and accommodates individuals with diverse needs and abilities.
On this note, Farley explained, “The centre focuses on providing services that are needed for children with autism. The strategies used can also be beneficial when working with slow learners, so children who are struggling academically are also welcomed”.
Despite facing challenges in opening and operating the centre, Farley remains determined to fulfil her dream, with the support of her father and generous donations from the business community.
“This has been my dream for some years and the challenges have been numerous. My dad, however, has said to me very pointedly on several occasions, ‘Do not abort your dream’. That has helped me to keep pressing forward. The main challenge was finding a suitable location and at the moment there are some materials and furniture needed to make the centre fully functional. I have been reaching out to the business community and some entities have donated in one way or another which I am grateful for,” she said.
So far, the centre offers screening and intervention and there will be monthly training in autism education for teachers in mainstream schools. In this regard, Farley explained that teachers are provided with practical strategies to use in the classroom with children on the spectrum. “We are currently working on launching a vibrant and impactful parent support group also,” she said.
When asked how she would measure the success and impact of her centre on the lives of individuals with autism and their families, she listed three indicators:
“1. An awareness campaign that goes beyond the month of April.
2. Creating a safe space for parents to meet and share their challenges and successes.
3. Training parents and teachers in strategies to help their child/children”.
As her journey continues, the 44-year-old’s advice to other parents or caregivers considering starting their own centres or organisations is simple: “go for it”.
“I was saddened by the fact that World Autism Day passed by quietly, here in Guyana. I know there may have been a statement here or there from certain entities but when we consider the fact that many children are presenting with symptoms of autism and parents are in denial, I think more should be said during Autism Awareness Month at least,” she said as her encouragement to other caregivers.
Looking to the future, Farley plans to expand the centre to reach more regions and continue making a positive impact on the autism community.
“I would like to set up a centre in as many regions as possible to meet the needs of parents and children on the spectrum. I have had clients come for a screening from as far as Berbice and Linden. We have a long way to go but the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” she said.
By providing a safe space for families to share their experiences, training parents and teachers, and fostering awareness beyond Autism Awareness Month, Farley measures success through ongoing initiatives and the impact on the lives of individuals with autism and their families.
Those interested in accessing the services can visit the Early Childhood Services centre at Lot 6 Duncan Street, Campbellville, Georgetown or they can follow the ECS’ Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/earlychildhoodservicesgy.
