03-25-2006, 01:30 AM
Services for people with autism and Asperger’s syndrome are scarce outside of Halifax, so an Internet pilot project spearheaded by the Provincial Autism Centre is good news, says the community development coordinator of the Digby Disabilities Partnership Committee.
“It’s a great idea for everyone to connect and be on the same page, especially in these remote areas where we don’t have the services,” said Sara Payson.
Payson was speaking after a Digby presentation last Thursday by Mike Price, program director with the Provincial Autism Centre in Halifax.
“The idea is giving people the chance to meet people they can relate to,” Price said. “It would be a really good opportunity for someone who is socially isolated.”
Price said social interaction with people who suffer from similar conditions is beneficial for people with autism or Asperger’s Syndrome. Related disorders include impaired social and communication capabilities, which can make adapting to school or work difficult.
Children with Asperger’s begin grammatical speech very early in life, while children with autism develop it much later.
Haligonians with the disorders can gather at the Provincial Autism Centre in Halifax. The autism online community is a computerized version of the centre at its Brenton Street location in the city.
A trained volunteer will moderate a chat session once a week with four to six participants divided into two “age appropriate” groups: one for 14- to 18-year-olds, and one for adults.
The program is open to those with autism who live in Nova Scotia but outside the capital.
Payson said it isn’t clear how many people in Digby County live with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, but said Digby Disabilities has had inquiries for more information.
For information or to register for the autism online community, call 1-877-544-4495.
From digbycourier.ca
“It’s a great idea for everyone to connect and be on the same page, especially in these remote areas where we don’t have the services,” said Sara Payson.
Payson was speaking after a Digby presentation last Thursday by Mike Price, program director with the Provincial Autism Centre in Halifax.
“The idea is giving people the chance to meet people they can relate to,” Price said. “It would be a really good opportunity for someone who is socially isolated.”
Price said social interaction with people who suffer from similar conditions is beneficial for people with autism or Asperger’s Syndrome. Related disorders include impaired social and communication capabilities, which can make adapting to school or work difficult.
Children with Asperger’s begin grammatical speech very early in life, while children with autism develop it much later.
Haligonians with the disorders can gather at the Provincial Autism Centre in Halifax. The autism online community is a computerized version of the centre at its Brenton Street location in the city.
A trained volunteer will moderate a chat session once a week with four to six participants divided into two “age appropriate” groups: one for 14- to 18-year-olds, and one for adults.
The program is open to those with autism who live in Nova Scotia but outside the capital.
Payson said it isn’t clear how many people in Digby County live with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, but said Digby Disabilities has had inquiries for more information.
For information or to register for the autism online community, call 1-877-544-4495.
From digbycourier.ca