Trinidad Express Article On APATT / Transparency
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APATT Meets With Reps From United Nations
On May 5th, 2016, the President of the Autism Parents Association of Trinidad & Tobago, Mrs. Maria Borde, met Mr. Richard Blewitt, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative for Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Aruba, Curacao, and St Marteen. Present in the meeting was also Ms. Joycelyn Phillip, UN Theme Group Coordinator for Gender Equality, HIV and Human Rights.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the serious issues of lack of public education and services available for families affected by autism in Trinidad & Tobago. Maria Borde shared APATT’s mission with regards to access of free public services for individuals with autism in our country. Among many other topics, it was also discussed the UN Rights of the Child and the UN Rights of persons with disabilities that Trinidad & Tobago ratified in 2015. It was indeed a very informative and pleasant meeting.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Blewitt for meeting with us and for the valuable information provided.
Richard Blewitt, United Nations / Maria Borde, APATT
APATT At Holy Name Convent POS
Thoughtful students from Holy Name Convent Port of Spain approached APATT to learn more about Autism and the mission of our organization. They did a wonderful job explaining to the rest of the school the realities of the spectrum, the serious needs of families locally as well as learning more about our wonderful individuals with ASD. They even showed a few clips of our pie challenge! Thanks for the support girls.
Learning more about our wonderful individuals with Autism.
The students in charge of Assembly about Autism.
APATT On TV6 Morning Edition With Fazeer Mohammed
Special thanks to Fazeer Mohammed, the morning host of “Morning Edition” on TV6, Ms. Gulston and the TV6 heads for allowing APATT to voice its message on behalf of those on the Autism Spectrum and Autism Parents during the period of “Autism Awareness Month” with the focus on “Autism Action”.
The “Morning Edition” is an early morning show covering issues in Trinidad and Tobago’s society. You can watch it live online via Live Stream | TV6.
Get Pied For Autism
April is Autism Awareness Month and the Autism Parents Association of Trinidad & Tobago (APATT) is issuing a video challenge to ALL: “Get pied for Autism!” to educate and help others understand more about Autism and bring attention to the serious lack of resources for individuals on the spectrum in T&T.
How do I get pied?
We will be posting a series of questions and answers about Autism right here and in our Facebook page that you have to use. You need a friend to do the challenge with you, it works in pairs. This is how it works:
1. Select 1(one) question to be asked (scroll down for questions and answers).
2. State why you are doing the challenge: To Support the Autism Parents Association of Trinidad & Tobago in their goal to educate people about Autism and the urgent need for public resources locally.
3. Nominate 2 people to do the challenge in the next 48 hours.
4. Ask the question to your friend. If the person answers incorrectly, they get pied by you. If the person answers right, YOU get pied by them!
5. Post the video on our Facebook Page or your own Facebook wall (and please tag us or let us know!) or send it to us and we will post it for you.
Tip: You do not have to buy an actual pie to do this challenge. You can use whipped cream in a pie mold or even shaving cream. Everyone can do it!
Questions For The Get Pied For Autism Challenge
1. Q. Can you get Autism by touching a person with Autism?
A. No. Autism is not contagious.
2. Q. What’s the number of PUBLIC schools for children with Autism in T&T?
A. Zero/None.
3. Q. How common is Autism?
A. In the USA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says an estimated 1 in 68 persons has been identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
4. Q. How many places offer PUBLIC therapy for children with Autism in T&T?
A. Zero.
5. Q. Can adults and the elderly have Autism?
A. Yes. Autism can affect people of all ages.
6. Q. Do all children with Autism talk?
A. No. Some children with Autism are non-verbal.
7. Q. Is it true that ALL people with Autism are math geniuses?
A. No.
8. Q. Are boys more likely to be affected by Autism than girls?
A. Yes, Autism is 5 times more common among boys than girls.
9. Q. Is there a cure for Autism?
A. No. Autism is a lifelong condition.
10. Q. What exactly causes Autism?
A. There isn’t a conclusive scientific explanation as yet but some evidence points to genetic / DNA or external factors.
11. Q. What is Asperger’s Syndrome?
A. Asperger’s Syndrome is a mild form of Autism.
12. Q. Can children with Autism work in groups?
A. Yes, but it is not always easy and they usually need an aide for assistance or reassurance.
13. Q. Can people with Autism make friends?
A. Yes, of course.
14. Q. What does the acronym APATT mean?
A. Autism Parents Association of Trinidad & Tobago.
15. Q. What is APATT’s website address?
16. Q. Can anyone join APATT and how much does it cost?
A. APATT is free for everyone connected in some way to Autism.
Support the cause of Autism Parents as we strive to bring attention about the needs of our loved ones.
APATT On TrinityTV – “Breakfast With The Deacons”
Special thanks to Deacon Derek Walcott , the morning host of “Breakfast with the Deacons” on TrinityTV for allowing APATT to voice its message on behalf of those on the Autism Spectrum and Autism Parents who are in desperate need of help.
“Breakfast with the Deacons” is a Catholic themed early morning show covering issues in Trinidad and Tobago’s society. You can watch it live online via Live Stream | TrinityTV.
APATT Meets With Hon. MP Ayanna Webster-Roy
From the Office of the Prime Minister: The media and by extension the national community are hereby notified that responsibilities for matters relating to Children’s Authority, Child Development, Children’s Homes, Children with special needs, Community Residences, Orphanages and Gender Affairs have been removed from the purview of the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services and assigned to the Office of the Prime Minister. In this regard, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister Mrs. Ayanna Webster-Roy’s portfolio will be expanded to include these responsibilities, which were previously held by Mrs. Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn.
His Excellency Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona has been duly advised of the adjustment in accordance with Section 79(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Source: Amendment of Ministerial Responsibilities | Trinidad and Tobago Government News This change became effective from Wednesday 11th November, 2015.
Today, Friday, 13th November, 2015, the President of APATT, Maria Borde met with the Honourable Minister Ayanna Webster-Roy at her office to discuss the urgency of APATT’s mission to see that ALL children on the Autism Spectrum receive FREE public education from qualified special needs teachers and therapy by trained specialists in Autism. The meeting was cordial and productive. The Hon. Minister Ayanna Webster-Roy also saw video clips showing the extent of low functioning Autism and the need for these children to receive help as well as those who are capable of being integrated with assistance.
APATT & TTUTA Presidents Discuss Special Education In T&T
The Autism Parents Association of Trinidad &Tobago (APATT) President Maria Borde (left) met with the President of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) President Mr. Davanand Sinanan (right) to discuss APATT’s mission with regards to the serious issue of the lack of proper educational facilities with qualified teachers for children with Autism in our country and the fact that it is the government’s solely responsibility to provide the aforementioned.
Mr. Sinanan has already stated with regards to Special Needs Education:
“It’s a mixture of NGOs, CBOs, religious organisations and the State and you have all kinds of substandard, sub quality education being imparted to these children in these ‘special schools.’ No one can be held accountable when things go wrong because you are not quite sure who is the owner of the school, who is the administrator of the school, who is responsible for the school. A lot of nonsense takes place in many of these schools and it is high time that the State accepts that it has a responsibility to provide quality education to those students just as well and not depend on the NGOs and CBOs.“ Source
APATT On CNC3 Morning Brew
Special thanks to Hema Ramkissoon, the morning host of “Morning Brew” on CNC3, and CNC3 TV Station for allowing APATT to voice its message on behalf of those on the Autism Spectrum and Autism Parents who are in desperate need of help.
The “Morning Brew” is an early morning show covering issues in Trinidad and Tobago’s society. You can watch it live online via Live Stream | CNC3.
Donation
Martina Chow (left) President of the Music Therapy Association of Trinidad & Tobago generously donated $2,000TT to APATT. We are indeed very grateful and we will ensure the funds go directly in helping some of our families who are in desperately need of services for their children.