As part of SCHS's Center for Autism preparations for the new academic year, many procedures were taken during the first two weeks of September in order to make sure that a proper implementation of scheduled programs is maintained.
Mrs. Mona Bagh, head of SCHS's Center for Autism, pointed out that a team was formulated in order to do the required assessment tests for the students. PEP-R test is down to autism children, while AAPEP test is done to older students in order to determine the suitable teaching procedures.
In addition, meetings were held to discuss the different cases, to determine the suitable objective for each case, and to divide work on team members. The center also organized a schedule for students' activities and determined appointments for family sessions. 45 after school working hours are going to be dedicated to these sessions during the first two weeks. Primary consultation will be given to students' parents to identify their priorities, fears, and expectations when setting individual programs. Students' misbehavior is going to be monitored during summer holidays in order to receive parents' suggestions, opinions, and questions about their children's problems and the best way to solve it. 22 interviews that represents 44 working hours were made.
Moreover, two long consultation sessions by Mrs. Mona Bagh, head of SCHS's Center for Autism, were held to a student's parents. Each session took 3 hours. In the first session, which was attended by 22 employees, a demonstration was given on how to give AAPEP test. AAPEP test assesses vocational, behavioral, and time organizing skills. It's worth mentioning that the second session was attended by 27 employee, specialists, teachers, and trainers from the different departments and sections of SCHS. The two sessions were simultaneously translated.
The center is organizing these sessions in order to set up rehabilitating & training plans for students, discuss their misbehavior, set up proper intervention methods, provide technical and psychological support for families, develop students skills, maintain their independency by training them on vocational and daily life skills, make families strong from the inside, and increase staff professionalism. Finally, SCHS's Center for Autism employees are going to be trained on asking questions techniques, running sessions, and deriving answers from questions and investigations in order to help parents.
On Wednesday, 24th, September, 2008, SCHS's Center for Autism organized a banquet (Fotra) as part of its activities, which aim at increasing the interaction between parents and staff and in order to listen to parents' suggestions and opinions about the center. Students gave their parents and their principle symbolic gifts that represented their gratitude and appreciation for their efforts in helping them.
Parents showed the feelings of joy & delight for attending this banquet. They mingled very well with other guests. The event was attended by Mr. Emad Yussif Ead, supervisor, Mr. Hisham Kitami, administrator, Mr. Mahmoud Abed Maqsoud, social worker, Mr. Osama Shahbi, a teacher, and a group of SCHS's workers.