Today was another hectic day in Ghana...we are really making the most of our brief visit. We got an early start at the Centre. After working long into the night on our presentation, we got an early start at the Centre. Thankfully, Molly and Mawusi noticed that the rain was coming and moved the presentation indoors so Ann didn't get drenched! Before the presentation, Molly was able to speak to an aunt who had come to inquire about services for her nephew, who is 13 years old and without services. This woman had the same questions that many family members have in the states. What is the cause? Will he make progress? It was a powerful reminder that, even across the ocean, our concerns are more alike than they are different.
The presentation on PECS (the Picture Exchange Communication System) went beautifully. Ann gave examples of how to teach a child to use pictures to communicate. Mawusi was helping by playing the role of both teacher and child in the demonstrations. The staff was eager to see the system used with one of the children, and we were all delighted when she was able to exchange the pictures to request so quickly. The entire room burst into applause (including the trainers!). Some staff members tried the system and when the child's aunt picked her up at the end of the day, she was excited to try it at home too!
We also reviewed with Mawusi some of the data that had been taken on the children's programs. It was amazing to see their enthusiasm for this new system. We are all getting excited about the possibility of going to the Association of Behavior Analysis conference in Norway in 2009. Ann and Molly would be particularly happy to see Mawusi there -- he speaks Norwegian! How will we manage without him?
We headed down to the Cultural Arts Centre to look for gifts for our supporters in New York and then at dinner met an American couple who had also started a nonprofit working in rural areas. Even she said, "I didn't know there was autism in Ghana". It's good to know that we can make an impact raising awareness of the need for services in Ghana both here in Ghana and abroad
Well, for tonight it's back to the house for another meeting with Nic and maybe a full night's sleep...but knowing us, maybe not!
The presentation on PECS (the Picture Exchange Communication System) went beautifully. Ann gave examples of how to teach a child to use pictures to communicate. Mawusi was helping by playing the role of both teacher and child in the demonstrations. The staff was eager to see the system used with one of the children, and we were all delighted when she was able to exchange the pictures to request so quickly. The entire room burst into applause (including the trainers!). Some staff members tried the system and when the child's aunt picked her up at the end of the day, she was excited to try it at home too!
We also reviewed with Mawusi some of the data that had been taken on the children's programs. It was amazing to see their enthusiasm for this new system. We are all getting excited about the possibility of going to the Association of Behavior Analysis conference in Norway in 2009. Ann and Molly would be particularly happy to see Mawusi there -- he speaks Norwegian! How will we manage without him?
We headed down to the Cultural Arts Centre to look for gifts for our supporters in New York and then at dinner met an American couple who had also started a nonprofit working in rural areas. Even she said, "I didn't know there was autism in Ghana". It's good to know that we can make an impact raising awareness of the need for services in Ghana both here in Ghana and abroad
Well, for tonight it's back to the house for another meeting with Nic and maybe a full night's sleep...but knowing us, maybe not!
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