OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS GET TRAINING TO DIAGNOSE AUTISM

CKFTO Vice-Chair Sofia Figueroa-Leon (centre) and Occupational Therapists Christopher Ristic (left) and Carolina Calles Everdium (right) are thrilled to receive funding from The Digicel Foundation toward the cost of further training, purchase of ADOS testing kits and conducting assessments to diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

WED 29 NOV, 2023: PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – Caribbean Kids and Families Therapy Organisation (CKFTO) will send two Occupational Therapists (OTs) to Texas next week to complete training in Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). The TT$37,000 partnership with the Digicel Foundation will go toward costs associated with the training, the purchase of ADOS testing kits, and having some children assessed. This intervention will help address the rising need for this service locally.

The Digicel Foundation’s Head of Operations Cindyann Currency shared, “We are thrilled to work with CKFTO on this aspect of their programme. Diagnosis will help improve the quality of education and general well-being of children who are assessed. For their families, this opportunity can change a child’s life trajectory, and we’re so happy to be on this journey with them.”

The fallout from school closures and lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic has doubled the demand for educational and paediatric therapy services. Psychoeducational assessment and diagnosis are needed for students seeking special concessions for the SEA, other school exams or access to some social services.  Increased access to assessment and diagnosis tools such as ADOS is necessary for the success of children with neurodivergence such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

CKFTO Occupational Therapists Christopher Ristic and Carolina Calles Everdium are set to receive training in order to diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children. 

After this training, CKFTO’s Occupational Therapists Christopher Ristic and Carolina Calles Everdium, who have more than a decade of experience between them, will be the first qualified OTs to diagnose children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Sofia Figueroa-Leon, Vice-Chair of the CKFTO Board of Directors, is enthusiastic that this additional training and certification will help the NGO better serve their young clients.

CKFTO provides affordable therapeutic services to children with special needs, specialising in a wide range of paediatric screening/assessments and customised rehabilitation solutions delivered by an inter-professional team of occupational, speech, physical therapists and educators. The Digicel Foundation continues to build partnerships with organisations such as CKFTO to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Digicel Foundation Head of Operations Cindyann Currency (far left) presents a cheque to CKFTO Vice-Chair Sofia Figueroa-Leon (far right) to support their programme to diagnose children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

ENDS

About Digicel

As a Digital Operator, Digicel is in the business of delivering powerful digital experiences 1440 minutes of each day to customers – that’s every minute, all day, every day.

Through its world-class LTE and fibre networks, together with its suite of eight apps spanning sports (SportsMax), music (D’Music), news (Loop), local radio and podcasts (GoLoud), TV streaming, (PlayGo) enhanced messaging and marketplaces (BiP), cloud storage (Billo) and self-care (MyDigicel app), Digicel is the only operator in its markets that can deliver the complete digital experience.

Serving consumer and business customers in 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America, and Pacific with investments of over US$7 billion and a commitment to communities in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, and Trinidad & Tobago, the Digicel Foundation has contributed to positive outcomes for over three million people to date.

With its Better Together brand, Digicel is promising “simply more” to its customers and communities as the company’s 7,000 employees worldwide work together to make this pledge a powerful reality day in, day out.

For more, visit www.digicelgroup.com