The Tribune

Blairwood Academy celebrated Autism Awareness Month in April by painting the sky blue.

The special education school’s students were tasked with painting kites blue; blue being the official colour representing autism spectrum disorders. They also painted the puzzle ribbon symbol on the kites to represent autism awareness. Afterwards, the kids were allowed to fly the kites on the school’s grounds.

Overall, Blairwood Academy has 94 students. Some 40 per cent come for a year or two to catch up and may return to other schools; 30 per cent, who have dyslexia, ADD/ADHD and similar conditions, may stay longer and do BJC/BGCSE training, while the 30 per cent who have mild to moderate disabilities (autism, delays) stay for longer.

“Our autistic students have the opportunity to learn to read and write; and many have achieved this,” the school said.

Blairwood Academy is the Bahamas’ only all-age alternative education school dedicated to helping students with dyslexia, processing delays, math disabilities, learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, behavioural and emotional difficulties as well as autistic spectrum disorders. The school caters to students ranging in ages from two to 18.

“We recently started our early and adult intervention programmes which cater to pre-academic, speech and motor skills, as well as adult vocational and life skills. We help these students reach their fullest potential,” the school said.

“Since taking over Blairwood in 2008, we have given scholarships to many deserving Bahamian children who needed the small classroom setting. We have also assisted many children from the hurricane relief who are currently attending the school. “