Schools in NJ, and in Bahrain
Whether in Piscataway, NJ or in Bahrain, school is the start. The Sneha centre for children with special needs is the only centre of its kind for specially challenged expatriate children in Bahrain. Pakistani Mohammed Rafeeq, a welder in Bahrain, could not afford the fees which were more than his salary. The Gulf Daily News notes that his 5-year-old daughter, Iman, has autism and Down Syndrome; she takes “medication everyday” and also, her father notes, “’stands in the sun for several hours without eating, drinking or caring about the heat.’” The Sneha centre is open only for a few hours in the morning (9am - 11am) and one hopes it will make at least a small difference for Iman and her family. The staff at the Sneha centre are volunteers from the Indian Ladies Association (ILA); what other services and programs might be available to Iman if her family’s economic situation were different?
The December 28th Home-News Tribune profiles teacher Julie Sakowicz of Piscataway Regional Day School:
“I know where these kids are going once they hit 21 and I know what they need to have a better life out there,” said Sakowicz. “I’m trying to get them to be as independent as possible, and get the skills that are really important to shine through. My job is to help them reach their highest functioning potential.
“I want them to be the best versions of them that they can be — whatever that is, whatever that means.
“Sitting at a table in the first floor of the school on Stelton Road, Sakowicz is approached and engaged by a friendly, smiling student whose disability would render his comments unintelligible to most. But not to Sakowicz. She shoots back a joke of her own and playfully admonishes him for using “the one bad word he knows.”
“I’m like the great translator around here,” said Sakowicz. “When you know these guys, love these guys, and spend more time with them than your own family, you know what they’re about.”
School has been the bedrock of my son’s progress and it goes without saying that we feel very glad that we’ve been able to live in places that can provide the kinds of services that can most help Charlie. Charlie is off from school till Wednesday but already packed his lunch last night before going to bed after midnight—-he is still on West Coast time. An ABA therapist knocked on the door at 10am and Charlie’s sitting at his desk on the computer and I think he’ll be more than glad when the yellow schoolbus pulls up on Wednesday morning.
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POSTED IN: Education, Middle East, New Jersey
2 opinions for Schools in NJ, and in Bahrain
Casdok
Dec 30, 2007 at 3:55 pm
And Charlie obvioulsy enjoys it as his lunch is already packed!
angie
Dec 14, 2008 at 2:30 am
hi ! first of all i indroduce my self may name is ( angie ) mother one of the down syndrome child here in bahrain.just i send email in ur site coz i need a help.i’m thinking too much to may daugther future she a 4 yrs old girl and up to now still she did not talk and not go to school.i dont know where i have to go and who i have to contact for this thing.if u can help me for this matter i will appriciate hope u will reply on me soon.
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