First Lady meets members of Autism support group |20 September 2013

The First Lady and chairperson of the Seychelles Children’s Foundation, Natalie Michel, met members of Pearl Seychelles (Autism Support Group) yesterday at her office at Bel Eau.

The aim of the meeting was for Mrs Michel to discuss the work progress of the association following the review of the Autism Advocacy Project on April 1, 2013 during which the role of awareness and advocacy was handed to the association.
 
With this new approach, the main focus of the Foundation and JOUEL – the sponsor of the two-year project until the project lasts -- is towards development of professionals working with children with autism, so that both children and parents are better supported.

During the meeting, the members got the chance to share their vision for the association, particularly at the level of intervention and services for better support of children with autism.
The members also outlined the everyday challenges and constraints posing as barriers to the association and having a negative impact on the association’s progress.
   
Two of their biggest constraints are getting access to the right professional help to work with children with autism, as well as overcoming the challenges with mainstream services.
With this very open exchange of information, the First Lady now has a clearer insight into the needs of the association, the parents and the children.

Pearl Seychelles is a registered association launched on April 1, 2013 under the patronage of Mrs Michel.  The chairperson of Pearl Seychelles is Lynn Lavigne.
 
During the meeting, the members of Pearl Seychelles expressed their appreciation for the support and guidance of the Seychelles Children’s Foundation in helping them advance the cause of autism in Seychelles.

Mrs Michel reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to continue to support the parents and children through Pearl Seychelles, besides giving support towards professional development and intervention of the disorder, with the crucial support of its partners.