GRANVILLE, St James — The Kiwanis Club of Montego Freeport, which has partnered with the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College Diagnostic and Early Intervention Centre to launch a programme that helps children with learning disabilities, is hoping corporate Jamaica will come on board to help with the venture.

One of the goals of the learning disabilities awareness programme, which was launched virtually last week, is to identify about 40 students each year and provide treatment for at least half that number.

“We are hoping for expansion. With greater support, we can treat and identify more students and create greater awareness about learning disabilities. You may even have a learning disability and don’t know. Help us to help the students,” urged Dr Ramario Forrester, president of the Kiwanis Club of Montego Freeport.

Chairman of the disabilities awareness programme, Nevin Nish, said the Kiwanis Club recognises, and is doing its part to address, the issue of children with undiagnosed disabilities. He noted that such a condition can decrease generational wealth and successes which in turn can contribute to a breakdown in the society.

Education Minister Fayval Williams disclosed that of the nearly 500,000 students enrolled in schools from kindergarten to Grade 13, approximately 10,000 have been diagnosed with disabilities.

Williams said the collaborative programme is a welcome addition to the ministry’s efforts to provide more resources for children with learning disabilities.

“The centre is of particular importance in keeping with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information’s thrust to support the efforts and provide psycho-educational assessment and training to individuals who are in need of such services,” said Williams.

“I am especially pleased with the range of specialised services that will support parents and caregivers of children with special needs and in particular with the aim of identifying 40 students per year for assessment and offer psychotherapy services to at least 20 of that number.”

She added that students who require non-verbal assessment will also receive help.

Tracy Ann Pinnock, centre manager for the Sam Sharpe Diagnostic and Early Intervention Centre, expressed her appreciation for the Kiwanis partnership. So too did the centre’s clinical psychologist Christina Walker.

“I am excited about this partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Montego Freeport because often children with disabilities slip through the cracks of our education system, especially those with mild deficits. Often you will have a child that may be lagging slightly behind. Teachers may perceive that child as lazy [or think he is] not putting in enough effort. This programme will have several parts, including campaigns for teachers in schools. This is important, just for them to have an idea of the signs and symptoms to be aware of so that children can get the assistance they need,” explained Walker.

The diagnostic centre, which serves western Jamaica, was officially opened in October 2018, some 18 months after ground was broken on the college premises in Granville, St James.

The facility currently offers assessment to children with learning disabilities as well as neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and intellectual disabilities.