Who is Denzil Jacobs
Money raised will…
Why
About Autism
Therapies & Intervention
Keith Duffy on autism
Saplings School
Who is Denzil Jacobs?
Occupational therapist Denzil Jacobs, who is based in Saplings School for Children with Autism in Graiguecullen, is about to embark on a challenge so tough it would leave even the most hardened sportsmen quaking in their boots. The South African native is a familiar face in the school, having worked there since 2007, and he is planning to run twelve marathons in 12 days in every county in Leinster! He is taking on this challenge to raise funds for autism. It is an extreme challenge, but people living with autism face their own marathon every day of their lives. Denzil will commence his marathons in Carlow on 19th August and finish in Tullamore Co. Offaly on August 30th.
What the money will be used for?
It’s important to note here that every cent will go directly to individuals and families living with autism in a number of ways:
- Provision of sorely needed services to families living with autism, amongst these are early diagnoses Assessments/One on One specialised Education programs in school or home
- Specialised Equipment needs must be met and provided for such as tablets for communication aids/laptops for learning etc.
- Specialised Sensory room environments for optimal learning and regulating by individual with autism
- Therapy services at the very least subsidised
Why?
I’m taking on this challenge because I have seen and recognised first hand the difficulties families living with autism are faced with on a daily basis. I firmly believe one must be a “doer” and not a complainer or onlooker, I have decided once again to do something to try and help those in need.
Autism has a very special place in my heart and soul, and I must say it’s due to the autism community that I can wake up every morning with joy and thankfulness to go to work. I love my job. I don’t see my role as an Occupational Therapist as just a job, but as a opportunity to make a positive difference in the life of a child and their families living with autism.
I believe in…‘Every touch a child remembers, Let’s make it a positive one.’
Whether we, donate to the charity, voluntarily offer one’s time to help a person or cause, helping families living with autism, you are then providing a positive touch. There are many ways to make a positive difference.
Running 12 marathons in 12 straight days, doesn’t come close to the challenges the autism community is faced with in their daily lives.
Funding – There is a massive shortage of funding for the badly needed services and resources. The schools and therapy rooms requires upgrading, so that children can get optimal education service.
Raise Awareness – Amongst the general population there is simply a lack of knowledge and understanding of what autism is. Its often found that once an autistic child is ready and confident to face the community they are being integrated into, that very community is not ready to face a child with autism. So, apart from raising money one of the main aims of this challenge is to bridge that gap and to deminish the amount of ignorance about autism spectrum disorder.
About Autism
Autism is not me. Autism is just an information processing problem that controls who I am” – Donna Williams, author of ‘Nobody, Nowhere’ and ‘Somebody, Somewhere’
Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder that affects the development of the brain in areas of social interaction and communication and is marked by severe difficulties in communicating and forming relationships with people, in developing language and in using abstract concepts. Characteristics include repetitive and limited patterns of behaviour and obsessive resistance to tiny changes in familiar surroundings or routines. For more information click here http://www.autismireland.ie/about-autism/what-is-autism/
Therapies & Interventions
There is no single intervention for all children with autism, but most individuals respond best to highly structured behavioral programs. Some of the most common interventions are Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Floortime Therapy, Gluten Free, Casein Free Diet (GFCF). Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, PECS, SCERTS, Sensory Integration Therapy, Relationship Development Intervention, Verbal Behavior Intervention, and the school-based TEAACH method. For more information click here http://www.autismireland.ie/therapies-interventions/
Keith Duffy on Autism
Saplings Schools
A young Sapling properly nurtured can grow into a strong tree. Saplings Ltd is an independent, not for profit, public interest company with charity status (CHY14453).
Established originally through the energy and commitment of a small group of parents and professionals in the Kildare area, Saplings now as 5 schools located in Kill, Rathfarnham, Carlow, Goresbridge and Mullingar and operates as a Patron to these schools.
The Saplings Schools are co-educational specialist schools, providing quality education for pupils with autism and complex needs. Each school offers a range of child-centred autism specific education which draws a on a range of evidence based interventions.
Who is Denzil Jacobs?
Occupational therapist Denzil Jacobs, who is based in Saplings School for Children with Autism in Graiguecullen, is about to embark on a challenge so tough it would leave even the most hardened sportsmen quaking in their boots. The South African native is a familiar face in the school, having worked there since 2007, and he is planning to run twelve marathons in 12 days in every county in Leinster! He is taking on this challenge to raise funds for autism. It is an extreme challenge, but people living with autism face their own marathon every day of their lives. Denzil will commence his marathons in Carlow on 19th August and finish in Tullamore Co. Offaly on August 30th.
What the money will be used for?
It’s important to note here that every cent will go directly to individuals and families living with autism in a number of ways:
- Provision of sorely needed services to families living with autism, amongst these are early diagnoses Assessments/One on One specialised Education programs in school or home
- Specialised Equipment needs must be met and provided for such as tablets for communication aids/laptops for learning etc.
- Specialised Sensory room environments for optimal learning and regulating by individual with autism
- Therapy services at the very least subsidised
Why?
I’m taking on this challenge because I have seen and recognised first hand the difficulties families living with autism are faced with on a daily basis. I firmly believe one must be a “doer” and not a complainer or onlooker, I have decided once again to do something to try and help those in need.
Autism has a very special place in my heart and soul, and I must say it’s due to the autism community that I can wake up every morning with joy and thankfulness to go to work. I love my job. I don’t see my role as an Occupational Therapist as just a job, but as a opportunity to make a positive difference in the life of a child and their families living with autism.
I believe in…‘Every touch a child remembers, Let’s make it a positive one.’
Whether we, donate to the charity, voluntarily offer one’s time to help a person or cause, helping families living with autism, you are then providing a positive touch. There are many ways to make a positive difference.
Running 12 marathons in 12 straight days, doesn’t come close to the challenges the autism community is faced with in their daily lives.
Funding – There is a massive shortage of funding for the badly needed services and resources. The schools and therapy rooms requires upgrading, so that children can get optimal education service.
Raise Awareness – Amongst the general population there is simply a lack of knowledge and understanding of what autism is. Its often found that once an autistic child is ready and confident to face the community they are being integrated into, that very community is not ready to face a child with autism. So, apart from raising money one of the main aims of this challenge is to bridge that gap and to deminish the amount of ignorance about autism spectrum disorder.
About Autism
Autism is not me. Autism is just an information processing problem that controls who I am” – Donna Williams, author of ‘Nobody, Nowhere’ and ‘Somebody, Somewhere’
Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder that affects the development of the brain in areas of social interaction and communication and is marked by severe difficulties in communicating and forming relationships with people, in developing language and in using abstract concepts. Characteristics include repetitive and limited patterns of behaviour and obsessive resistance to tiny changes in familiar surroundings or routines. For more information click here http://www.autismireland.ie/about-autism/what-is-autism/
Therapies & Interventions
There is no single intervention for all children with autism, but most individuals respond best to highly structured behavioral programs. Some of the most common interventions are Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Floortime Therapy, Gluten Free, Casein Free Diet (GFCF). Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, PECS, SCERTS, Sensory Integration Therapy, Relationship Development Intervention, Verbal Behavior Intervention, and the school-based TEAACH method. For more information click here http://www.autismireland.ie/therapies-interventions/
Keith Duffy on Autism
Saplings Schools
A young Sapling properly nurtured can grow into a strong tree. Saplings Ltd is an independent, not for profit, public interest company with charity status (CHY14453).
Established originally through the energy and commitment of a small group of parents and professionals in the Kildare area, Saplings now as 5 schools located in Kill, Rathfarnham, Carlow, Goresbridge and Mullingar and operates as a Patron to these schools.
The Saplings Schools are co-educational specialist schools, providing quality education for pupils with autism and complex needs. Each school offers a range of child-centred autism specific education which draws a on a range of evidence based interventions.