ROTA is seeing an increase in the number of children with autism but the Public School System doesn’t have the money to provide adequate facilities for their needs, according to Board of Education Chairman Herman T. Guerrero.
“Even on Rota, we have certain needs even though it has a new school. It doesn’t have the facility to address the needs of special education. We have an increasing number of autistic kids that need special attention daily—one-on-one attention,” Guerrero said.
There are currently four rooms for special education program at Sinapalo Elementary School.
But Guerrero said their poor condition does not promote learning effectively.
“The building was constructed with tin-roof which makes funny noises during the day. The special education kids are very sensitive to sound—it’s becoming a big distraction for them,” Guerrero said.
“Some of them even have to cover their ears—we need more sound-proof rooms. We need to address those things,” he added.
He said the special education building must be renovated and extended to address the growing population of children with autism.
Barbara Sher, a therapist with the PSS Early Childhood Special Education program, said most special children are sound-sensitive. They also need special care and attention.
Guerrero said the needed repair at the Sinapalo school cannot be made this school year 2002-2003 as the classes will already start next month.
He said BOE and PSS will find a long-term solution to the problem. One of their options is to include Rota’s classroom for special education in the next capital improvement projects for public schools.
“It’s something that we’re looking at very seriously,” he said. The seven-year CIP plan for PSS is due to expire next year.
