Mr. Nyarko’s journey through Anderson Center for Autism last year was quite the ride, his story continues:

THE SCIP-R (STRATEGIES FOR CRISIS INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION-REVISED) :

Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention-Revised (SCIP-R) training equipped me with the ability to discern and react appropriately to varying levels of crisis situations, ensuring the protection and well-being of individuals with autism and other disabilities. During the orientation, certain features of the SCIP-R curriculum were highlighted. While we, as Scholars, were not authorized to partake in physical interventions due to valid considerations, we nonetheless rendered indirect assistance for each intervention that happened in our current work locations, irrespective of its level of intrusiveness.

Highly trained staff executed a spectrum of interventions, progressing from the least intrusive to the most restrictive, to support individuals undergoing behavioral crises. I understood the importance of gaining these skills to facilitate assistance when I return home to Ghana. I joined the New York State SCIP-R Certification Program, during which we explored the extensive curriculum and engaged in practical demonstrations of many interventions. We had the privilege to deliver presentations on aspects of the curriculum.

THE COMPONENT OF CULTURAL EXCHANGE:

Engaging with fellow scholars about my cultural background enabled me to enhance my abilities in cross-cultural communication, empathy, and understanding. The initiative delivers a worldwide outlook, enabling me to collaborate with other scholars hailing from diverse African nations, as well as from Europe and Asia. We exchanged stories about our cultural heritage and harmoniously integrated with American culture.

The richness of culture emerges from its diverse expressions. We took part in sharing our cultural heritage through multiple events, which featured languages, music, food, traditions and clothes. 

POTENTIAL CAREER APPLICATIONS AND TRANSFERABLE SKILLS: 

I believe that my training experience at the Anderson Center for Autism will be instrumental in advancing my career as a special needs interventionist. I am equipped to apply the competencies developed in my support services and to train other individuals.

ENNY Foundation will serve as the primary and direct beneficiary of the knowledge and skills obtained for its personnel and clients. With my background as an educationist and teacher, I can leverage my understanding of ABA, effective classroom engagement methods, and SCIP-R to provide support for students with autism and other disabilities experiencing moderate to high behavioural difficulties. I will apply ABA training to effectively assess and meet the behavioural needs of individuals diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities.

As an Autism Specialist and Interventionist, I offer my expertise to schools, organizations, or families in addressing autism-related matters, leveraging my knowledge of ABA, classroom engagement, and SCIP-R.

Read the concluding part next week!