The Haydée Santamaría Special School is the only school of its kind in the eastern province of Holguin that is prioritizing care for children with autism through programs focused on socialization, communication, and behavior.
The center functions as a transitional institution to compensate for necessary skills in the children, as explained to the press by the director of the educational entity, Mairet Guerrero.
The director specified that, since most of the students are non-verbal, they use alternatives such as equine therapy and visual aids to facilitate learning and interpersonal relationships.
After monitoring by multidisciplinary teams, the children begin a blended learning program. In this model, they attend general schools three days a week and the rest of the time at the specialized institution.
This individualized attention includes curricular adaptations according to each student’s level of functionality. The goal is to work on motor skills and compensate for the effects of the disorder.
For her part, teacher Magalys Grau emphasized the importance of this program for the students’ well-being. The system facilitates adaptation to social interaction and the transition to higher grade levels.
Founded on January 15, 2015, the Haydée Santamaría School currently has an enrollment of 24 students. Its work integrates families and the community into the inclusion process.
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA ]
