A Voice for Autism-Jenin, Palestinian Territories

RichmondA Voice for Autism-Jenin, Palestinian Territories

$95

Raised of $2,500 USD

Fundraising ended on Apr 11, 2013
5 supporters
3%%

About This Project





Background:


Although Israel has some of the best autism services in the world, children living with autism in the West Bank have few services available to them. In order to access Israeli services their
families must apply for a Tazrih weeks in advance and can only stay in Israel for a short time. Because autism treatment is time-intensive and costly, short-term visits to Israel do not appropriately address the needs of these children.



The Program:


1) The Center


I am working with the Jenin Creative Cultural Center to establish a program that will train mothers in ABA therapy. In exchange for the training mothers will work in the autism center for five
hours a week, giving therapy to each other’s children. This cooperative model will keep the costs of therapy low while giving children the chance to learn from multiple therapists. I have a trained therapist who has agreed to do the project as a volunteer
as well as a translator in the region and a training program that combines training videos with live demonstrations.


Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is a scientifically-proven program for children with autism that teaches children how to learn using positive reinforcement (rewarding good behavior and communication
in order to extinguish inappropriate habits). http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment/applied-behavior-analysis-aba 


2) The Support Group


Because the stigma of having a child with autism can be isolating, a support group for families will be another component to the program. The support group will include educational programs
about autism and will develop into a self-led group where mothers can reflect on ABA and discuss their concerns about their children.


3) The Recreation Program


If enough funding is acquired, the final week of the program will be a recreational camp for children involved in the program where they will have the opportunity to participated in adapted
sports, music, crafts and cooking projects as well as a field trip with their families.


The Impact:


This project has been a challenge due to the politicized nature of the region. It is my hope that people will see beyond the politics of the area and recognize that this is a human rights issue.
Children cannot control the side of a border on which they are born and yet, for a Palestinian child with autism, this can have impacts as great as whether they have access to services and education or whether they spend their lives locked up in their homes. 


 

Use Of Funds

$2,500 Tipping Point Goal

Our tipping point will allow us to purchase training programs to train 10 mothers in ABA therapy with translation services and with the therapist communicating over Skype. 


The first $1,000 will be used to purchase the training software program


Supplies for ABA Center (Basic Materials)=$1,500 


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Travel Stipend for therapists (2)= $5,000 (8 weeks)


Translator Fees = $2,500 (8 weeks)


 


Additional Program: 


1 week summer camp for children in the program=$5,000

$10,000 Stretch Goal


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Rewards

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$10.00

Handwritten thank-you note with email updates throughout the project

998 left

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$25.00

Handwritten thank-you note made by a child in the program, email updates throughout the project and a photograph of the children in the program.

997 left

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$50.00

Handwritten thank you note made by a child in the program, email updates throughout the project, a photograph of the children in the program and a personal story of a child in the program and his/her progress

1000 left

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$100.00

A t-shirt with our program logo on it and all of the above.

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$500.00

You will be listed as a sponsor on our program's educational materials, will receive a t-shirt with the program's logo and will receive a handwritten thank-you card made by a child in the program and a photograph of the children in the program.

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Select Reward
$1,000.00

You will have the opportunity to Skype in to one of our ABA therapy sessions at the program and watch a child in action, will be listed as a donor and will receive a t-shirt and a handwritten thank you note.

20 left

Select Reward
$10,000.00

A member of our team will lecture at your business or event about experiences in the program and about ABA therapy. If your business is located more than 2 hours away from the DC or Richmond VA area or outside of the states of MN and WI, this lecture may occur over Skype. You will be listed as a main sponsor on our program promotional materials, will receive t-shirts for yourself and up to 10 co-workers/friends and will receive a painting made by all of the children in the program.

100 left