With this new Autism Center, SESOBEL is taking a large leap forward towards the future.
The center will be completely adapted to provide the necessary setting needed for the harmonious development of the children and youth with autism. The spacious classrooms, workshops, treatment and rehabilitation rooms, game room, resting area, all allow for a special integration of functionality unseen in other school settings.
The direct beneficiaries are:
− 50 underage children (0 to 6 years old) with physical and/or mental disability, or with pervasive developmental disorders (autism)
− 40 children and youth with autism between the ages of 6 to 20 years old
− 30 young adults with severe autism will be welcomed in a daytime center for socialization and accompaniment
− 15 youth with autism, 14 years and older, will be cared for on a rotation basis in a pioneer living space with private bedrooms and bathrooms
This living space is unique in Lebanon and new to the Middle East; the youngsters with autism will learn to live independently and autonomously, away from their home setting. 100 outpatient children and youth will benefit from around 1665 therapy sessions Furthermore, by transferring the children with autism to this new center, we can provide extra space in the existing buildings for the 3 actual workshops (Chocolate-Biscuits-Decoration) needed for our children and youth with mental disabilities and autism.
The other beneficiaries are:
− 220 families (parents and siblings) will be received for family guidance purposes, for social group interventions and for relaxation sessions. The siblings will receive: information about the disability of their brother and/or sister, support in case of difficulties caused by the presence of a brother or a sister with disability, personal attention that will help them develop and grow and a preparation with their parents for the future of their brother or sister.
− 57 teachers, 22 therapists and 2 social workers will also benefit from a better-adapted working environment to cater more efficiently to the needs of our children.
The building will contain several features:
− A family reception for 220 families
− An early intervention center for 50 children from 0 to 6 years old
− An education center for 40 children and youth with autism
− Therapy units for 100 children and youth
− Outpatient care program (Speech therapy-Occupational Therapy- Psychomotor Therapy- Physiotherapy and Psychotherapy)
− A residential care center with private bedrooms and bathrooms to welcome, on a rotation basis, 15
youngsters with autism.
− A daytime center for support and socialization, and social integration for 30 young adults.
− A recreational area for the children and their families
− A hydrotherapy unit for children with autism that will also be used by around 200 children and youth with disabilities at SESOBEL.
This hydrotherapy unit will benefit outpatients and will therefore be a source of self-financing (around 3120 therapy sessions per year).
Sesobel would like to deeply thank all our partners who are still contributing to the realization of this project.