GREENFIELD, NH – While serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Grenada, West Indies from 2001-2003, speech-language pathologist David Hajjar, of Hancock, NH, first met Alicia Phillips-St. Louis and her young daughter, Jonee, who had been diagnosed with autism. "Living in a developing nation like Grenada is difficult for individuals with any type of disability," remarked Hajjar. "Access to resources, educational support and skilled services is extremely limited." They dreamed that someday Jonee and her family could visit a world-class facility for children and adults with disabilities. Nearly five years later, that dream came true.

Now nine years old, Jonee, her mother, and her twelve-year old sister Jonali were able to travel to Crotched Mountain School during the last two weeks of July, thanks to funding from St. George's University and the National Council for the Disabled, both in Grenada.

During her stay, Crotched Mountain enabled Jonee to participate in a variety of educational and therapeutic activities so that staff could identify her specific needs and suggest sustainable solutions that could be implemented upon her return. Supported by student and teacher mentors, they attended classes and participated in individual and group activities with speech and occupational therapists. In addition, Jonee received assessment and treatment services from Crotched Mountain's outpatient clinic.

Autism is described as a spectrum of disorders, and is characterized by significant impairments in social interaction and communication, and the presence of unusual behaviors and interests. Individuals with autism will often have unusual responses to sensory experiences, such as certain sounds or the way objects look. The thinking and learning abilities of people with autism can vary – from gifted to severely challenged. Autism begins before the age of three and lasts throughout a person's life. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and is four times more likely to occur in boys than girls.

"Since Jonee is non-speaking," explained Hajjar, "she requires a consistent and reliable alternative method for expressive communication." Working with several speech-language pathologists, Jonee had an opportunity to practice using picture symbols, enabling her to request basic needs, such as food. Hajjar continued, "By using picture symbols, we can begin to build a repertoire of vocabulary for Jonee and focus on teaching her basic language functions such as commenting, asking questions, and making choices."

Based upon her interaction with Jonee and her family, occupational therapist Gwen Rumburg observed, "It was clear that Jonee has intense social and communication needs. I believe she would respond positively to structure and clear, consistent instructions." Ms. Rumburg was able to provide the family with teaching strategies and developed a sensory kit for Jonee to take back to Grenada. "The purpose of the kit is to assist Jonee in fulfilling some of her multi-sensory needs so that she can remain calm and focus on learning functional tasks."

In thanking both staff and students, Alicia Phillips-St. Louis expressed "Crotched Mountain has given me the opportunity to learn a great deal to help my daughter with autism. The result of this visit went beyond my expectations. I was exposed to different strategies and techniques to improve Jonee's language and communication skills."

According to Hajjar, both parties have benefited from the exchange by working together, sharing cultural differences, and making lasting friendships. "Our hope is that, in the future, some of us will travel to Grenada and participate in supporting other students with special education needs."

Crotched Mountain staff who worked with Hajjar during Jonee and her family's visit included: communication disorders staff Shannon Hurley, SLP, Barbara Klie, Jean Rube-Rainier, SLP, Gretchen Stockwell, SLP, and Mary Shain, SLP; occupational therapists Jennifer Booth, Gwen Rumburg, and Jennifer Wilusz; teachers Bonnie Arpin, Lyndsay Curtis and Meagan Slater; developmental pediatrician Ludwig von Hahn, MD, continuing education trainer Mari Hyer Schacht; vision specialist Rene Paquin; and assistant to the president Deborah DeCicco.

Crotched Mountain School is a private residential and day school providing educational and therapeutic services to students with developmental and physical disabilities, grades K-12, since 1963. For further information, call 603-547-3311, or visit the organization's website: www.crotchedmountain.org.

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