World Community Autism Program

[Guest guest]

WCAP: 'The goal of any program must be to improve their chances of

fulfilling their true potential. We believe that improving their

lives will improve the lives of all of us at the family, academic and

community level. As the argument `Nature vs. Nurture' continues we

hold with the inevitable truth that it is a little of both.'

'The Desorgher Method is a holistic approach to bringing about

emotional, spiritual, mental and physical well-being in people

suffering under the condition of autism. It grew out of the

Professional Parenting model known as `the Magic of the Family', and

has been most successfully used for those exhibiting the stresses and

conflicts of adapting to a world where their condition is poorly

understood and their survival has depended on developing coping

strategies which have come to be labelled as `problem behaviors'. It

can be adapted for uses in many settings and for a wide range of

problems and age groups, wherever struggle and survival strategies

are standing in the way of relationship, growth, fulfilment, health

and happiness.'

'Model of Excellence' Community models

It is clear that present practices are failing to address the

consistent pattern of family crisis and breakdown that inevitably

leads to institutionalization and an enormous burden on the

community. We have also seen how, with adequate and co-ordinated

support, education and services at a local level, including proper

respite services, foster-care programs, a range of therapeutic and

vocational training programs, an autism-aware medical community and

properly funded and organised family support networks, these crises

can be averted, families can stay together, and integration into the

mainstream of community life becomes more likely.

'The communities we envision include centers offering short- and

medium-term therapeutic transition programs. The aim is not to remove

the children from home and put them in boarding schools, but to

provide a release from the environments of school and home that are

leading to frustration and anger. The release can be for a few days

to a few months, but the goal is to transition into a new situation

where the child is on the way to becoming a young adult, with some

independence, experience of the world, emotional maturity, better

social skills and awareness of self. The centers would offer dietary,

behavioral and educational programs, practical skills development,

social skills training, crafts, outward-bound expeditions, sports and

leisure activities.'

Max Desorgher,

director, WCAP

http://www.saras-autism-diet.freeservers.com/