Getting Autism In The Picture
3rd August 2006
The organisation ‘Parents Education as Autism Therapists’ (PEAT), based on the Springfield Road, has welcomed substantial funding from the Phoenix Energy for Children Charity that has helped purchase a large amount of Picture Exchange Communication System
Non-verbal autistic children use these pictures to communicate their feelings, and the process is based on the principle of Applied Behaviour Analysis.
The system means parent and child can now communicate effectively with each other, and this is often a massive breakthrough as it brings an end to built up frustrations due to previous lack of understanding.
Danny Diamond from Andersonstown has been one of the first to benefit from the Picture Exchange System in relation to his son Eoin. He said:
“It has proved a lifesaver for me as Eoin and I can now communicate with each other effectively. It has really reduced frustration and behaviour issues, as well as stress in the home”.
Lynsay Mulcahy of PEAT added: “The charity funding means that the Picture Exchange Systems will now be used by many local families, including those who could not previously afford to pay for such resources”.
The Energy for Children Charity set up by the natural gas industry aims to raise £100,000 towards the needs of local disadvantaged children and to really make a difference to their lives.
Pictured: Danny and Eoin Diamond receiving their Picture Exchange Communication System from Simon Little (centre) of Phoenix Natural Gas.