John Doyle (also known by his alter ego ‘Rampaging Roy
Slaven’ from the sports comedy pairing ‘Roy and HG’)
will officially open two new satellite classes in Alstonville
for children with autism spectrum disorders. John will
participate in the ceremony as part of his role as the Patron
of Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect).
The satellite classes assist children with autism to develop
the skills needed to transition into regular school placements
or less specialised educational placements. The classes
that are being launched have been established by Aspect in collaboration
with the Catholic Education Office at St Joseph’s Primary
School and have been supported by funding from the NSW Department
Education and Training and the federal Department of Education,
Science & Training.
Adrian Ford is the CEO of Aspect and he says, “This represents
an important initiative for the Northern Rivers area. It’s
part of Aspect’s ongoing commitment to regional areas to
provide more services to children with autism spectrum disorders
and their families.
“It builds on Aspect’s existing commitment with
its Far North Coast Centre for Autism also based in Alstonville
and its autism-specific early intervention program that works
with five early intervention partner services on the Far North
Coast. These initiatives were a result of a community consultation
Aspect undertook on the Far North Coast in 2004 to better understand
the particular needs of children and adults with autism spectrum
disorders and their families.”
“Aspect has just completed another community consultation
on the Mid North Coast to assess the needs of the autism community
in that sector. The report is available on Aspect’s
web site at www.aspect.org.au. It
is hoped the report may lead to further service initiatives on
the Mid North Coast for people with autism spectrum disorders
and their families.”
9 children are already enrolled in the classes, which will
be administered by Aspect’s Sydney based Vern Barnett School
for Children with Autism.
The launch of the classes at St Joseph’s will include addresses
from Dr Trevor Clark (Aspect’s Director of Education and
Research), Dr Anne Wenham (Acting Director, Catholic Education & Research,
Diocese of Lismore) and John Doyle, who will officially open the
classes by cutting a ribbon with a student. Father Frank
Mulcahy will then bless the classrooms.
Media enquiries to Anthony Perl, Manager, Communications
at Aspect, on 02 8977 8383 or email media@aspect.org.au
Information courtesy of Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) www.aspect.org.au
Download
the Mid North Coast consultation report