ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands (PRWEB) April 20, 2018
Local businesses and Island Therapy Solutions have teamed up to build independence and essential life skills for Adults with Autism.
Big Beards Adventure Tours, CHOP Grill & Restaurant, Rehab Services of St. Croix, Sheraw Designs and St. Croix Environmental Association recently hosted interns as part of Island Therapy Solutions’ Strategic Transition Enrichment Program (STEP).
STEP is part of Island Therapy Solutions’ Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy program for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
“Our intern has been working out quite well,” said Captain Steve Kammerzelt, of Big Beard’s Adventure Tours. “He comes on time and always with a happy attitude. He definitely has his favorite tasks but willingly helps out when he is asked to do other things. He has been here long enough to know how to do what is asked of him without much supervision from store staff. His staff (a Registered Behavior Technician assigned by Island Therapy Solutions) is also super friendly and positive and directs/redirects him when/if necessary. It has honestly been nice to have him around to help out.”
Each internship operates under an agreement that requires adherence to internship parameters established by the USVI Department of Labor. The internships typically last about 8 weeks and the interns are accompanied at all times by a Behavior Technician or a Registered Behavior Technician from Island Therapy Solutions.
STEP and similar programs across the U.S. open doors previously closed to adults with disabilities, and consumers appreciate these businesses, according to Autism Speaks, a global Autism awareness organization.
In a recent consumer study cited on autismspeaks.org: 92% of Americans view companies hiring people with disabilities more favorably than those that do not. The study also found 87% would prefer to give their business to companies who hire people with disabilities.
However, that’s not the prime motivator for most business partners.
"CHOP & Grill Restaurant and our team members consider it a privilege to be able to support the (STEP) interns and their quest to achieve additional knowledge,” STEP internship partner, Sana Joseph Smith of CHOP & Grill Restaurant on St. Croix. “The payoff of seeing them grow as individuals is way more than the small sacrifice we have to make to accommodate them. Our community supports us, and we support our community."
In addition to developing workplace skills and experience, the STEP participants complete projects and tasks designed to develop independent living and social skills. Individuals work on cooking, identifying and managing currency, personal privacy concerns, community safety and other life skills that foster independence. Each participant is assessed to determine the skills developed within their individualized STEP program. Every participant works on tasks designed to meet the specific needs of each individual participant.
To be eligible for STEP an individual must have a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Island Therapy Solutions provides these diagnostic services and offers STEP from its Gallows Bay offices on St. Croix.
“We are actively seeking partnerships with local business owners to assist in our goal of providing opportunities to develop real-life, day-to-day work and life skills for our STEP participants,” said Courtney Mills, who in conjunction with a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst leads STEP. “The enrichment program yields positive results every day for the individuals in the program, their families and the businesses they are working with.”
April is Autism Awareness Month! Get Involved! Learn more about becoming STEP internship business partner or participant by contacting Andrea Purdome at Island Therapy Solutions 340-719-7007. Or visit http://www.islandtherapysolutions.com.
Island Therapy Solutions is a multi-dimensional practice serving St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John. Island Therapy Solutions provides psychological testing for adults and children, individual and group therapy, psychiatric care, couples therapy, family therapy, ABA autism services for children and adults, occupational therapy for children, and speech and academic tutoring services.
Images:
1: Sheraw Designs’ Chad Sheraw instructs STEP interns on sanding a mahogany cutting board.
2: Big Beard’s Adventure Tours Owner Captain Steve Kammerzelt works with a STEP intern.
3: CHOP & Grill Restaurant Owner Sana Joseph Smith poses with a STEP intern.
4. Zandra Ramtahal hosts interns at Rehabilitation services of St. Croix.
