The Special Needs Unit received a visit from Hon. Edwin Astwood, the Minister of Health, Agriculture and Human Services as he toured the SNAP Center to view the programs and interacting with students and teachers alike.
Hon. Astwood stated; “It was a very enlightening experience for me to visit the SNAP Center. I was very impressed by the quality of services being offered by the Staff to the children that require this service. The level of student teacher participation and interaction is truly producing the desired results, whilst the students eagerly demonstrated their education skills to my team from the Ministry of Health.“
SNAP Center (Special Needs Association of Providenciales) located in Kew Town, Providenciales provides intellectual and life skills opportunities for children and young persons with disabilities between the ages 4-24 years.
SNAP caters to a range of disabilities including, but not limited to Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Developmental Coordination Disorder, Speech/Language Disorder and Learning Disorders.
The Center is staffed by trained professionals namely; 2 -Special Ed Teacher, 1-Teacher, 1-Assistant Teacher and 1 – Maid with the oversight by the Program Officer. The Center’s goal is self-determination for each child where possible allowing them to grow to their full potential. Individual Education Plans are designed for each student with the involvement of the parents, teachers, and a member of the Special Needs Unit management team along with the student where possible.
Hon. Astwood added; “This is indeed one area which truly needs to be expanded in order to assist many more children and their parents. In addition, I am of the opinion that some of the teaching methods incorporated at the center should be duplicated in our mainstream school programs.”
The recent approval of the Special Needs Education Policy will ensure that, no child will be left behind regardless of their disability with focus on their ability.
According to Ms. Been Director of Special Needs Unit the Unit appreciates the commitment of our corporate partners such as Seven Stars Community Foundation who has adopted the Center. Let us remember that, “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” Helen Keller