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News
Catholic Charities Opens Program for Autistic
Children in West Orange
WEST ORANGE, N.J. — Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark,
through its Mount Carmel Guild Schools division, has opened a program
for autistic children at the Mount Carmel Guild Academy in West Orange.
Students participating in the new 10-month program, from ages 5 1/2
to 12 years old, come from the surrounding school districts of Essex County
and attend full-day sessions Monday through Friday, from 8:15 a.m. to
2:30 p.m.
Autism, characterized by atypical receptive behaviors and deficits in
social and communication skills, is the most common of the pervasive developmental
disorders and affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans. This complex
disorder poses serious challenges for educators, explained Joseph Marino,
superintendent of the Mount Carmel Guild Schools.
“Children with autism often are frustrated because they cannot communicate
their needs,” said Marino. “Program staff — certified
teachers of the handicapped and experts in autism — use the principles
of Applied Behavioral Analysis to teach students readiness skills, receptive
and expressive language skills, academic skills, and independent living
and self-help skills.”
Marino, who said that other counties have shown interest in the program,
is encouraged by the progress some students with autistic spectrum disorder
have been making in a very short time.
“After just three weeks, one student pleasantly surprised his parents,”
said Marino. “The family was leaving church when the child looked
up at the sky and said, ‘Look — blue helicopter.’ What
may be a small accomplishment for most children was a huge step for this
child.”
“We teach our students various academic and verbal skills, as well
as important life skills, including toilet training, proper table manners,
and other age-appropriate skills,” said Catherine Cruz, program
coordinator. “In our sensory integration room — which looks
very much like a playroom — we work to help students improve communication
and language through symbolic play, imitation skills, computers, art therapy,
and music therapy.”
The Mount Carmel Guild Academy, formerly Saint Patrick’s School,
is dedicated to the education and development of students with behavioral
disabilities. Additional information is available by calling (973) 325-4400,
ext. 100. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark operates programs
in Essex, Hudson, Union, and Bergen counties. The agency shelters the
homeless; counsels families in crisis; provides day-care activities for
older adults; builds families through adoption; teaches job skills; educates
students with special needs; helps people with HIV/AIDS; and offers programs
for immigrants, refugees, and victims of human trafficking. More information
is available at www.ccnewark.org. Affiliated with Catholic Health and
Human Services Corporation, the agency supports the mission of the Archdiocese
of Newark.
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