Education Minister Evarist Bartolo, accompanied by Parliamentary Secretary Clifton Grima and Permanent Secretary Frank Fabri visited the intensive ABA programme for children with autism spectrum disorder run by Hand in Hand Ltd at Casa Apap Bologna in Mosta.

Jacqueline Abela DeGiovanni keeping Education Minister Evarist Bartolo updated with the programmes on offer.Jacqueline Abela DeGiovanni keeping Education Minister Evarist Bartolo updated with the programmes on offer.

Hand in Hand Ltd, a partnership between Hand in Hand Malta and CareMalta Group, offers ABA therapy for children who have a diagnosis of autism.

Research has been showing utilising methods based on applied behaviour analysis (ABA) to be highly effective for children with ASD. Services include teaching verbal behaviour, social skills, independent living skills and problem behaviour reduction.

The team of highly qualified professionals is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families. Hand in Hand offers parent training, full or part-time intervention, school consultation and IEP development, support, speech therapy and occupational therapy. All therapy plans are overseen by a fully qualified behaviour analyst who has obtained her qualification from Queen’s University in Belfast.

Studies have shown that ABA is effective in teaching new skills and reducing problem behaviour. Other studies have found that intensive ABA implemented more than 20 hours per week and begun early in life, prior to the age of four, produces large gains in development and reduces the need for special services.

Earlier this year, Jacqueline Abela DeGiovanni, CEO and behaviour analyst of Hand in Hand Ltd, Natalie Briffa Farrugia, CareMalta’s CEO, Christian Vassallo, director of Vassallo Group, and Janet Silvio, executive director of Hila, visited ABA schools in Ireland.

The objective of this visit was to look into ways of offering more intensive ABA therapy on our island. Following this visit, in addition to other schools visited in the UK and Switzerland, Hand in Hand started offering intensive ABA where children receive 20 hours per week.

This summer 18 children are benefiting from this kind of therapy. The children are aged between three and six. The goal for Hand in Hand is to continue offering this programme all year round.

For more information about ABA programmes on offer, e-mail info@handinhandmalta.com or call 7947 4692.

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