Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne with Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima and Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett inaugurate Center for Sensory Integration Therapy.
A Center for Sensory Integration Therapy, with an investment of € 2.4 million, was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne together with the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima and Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett, at Marsa Primary School, which is part of St George Preca College. This investment has led to our country now having the first specialized center for sensory integration therapy.
The center was inaugurated following an agreement reached between the ministries of health and education through which the Ministry of Health is providing the service of therapy and occupational therapists, while the Ministry of Health -Education provided the upper floor of the school building, an administration service, as well as a service of psychologists from the Department of National School Support Services within the ministry.
The project was funded by the EEA and Norway Grants. Through the funds the site has been refurbished, equipment has been purchased, and specialized training has been provided, and will continue to be provided throughout this year, to all staff at School Psychological Services, while further training is planned. Work has also been done to change practices and procedures to make the service more efficient and professional. It is also a service that meets the challenges and needs of children in schools.
Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne explained that studies show that one in ten children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, although the severity of the condition varies. That is why the government has in recent years increased the investment in the services offered to these individuals, from a young age. Chris Fearne said that the type of innovative therapy that will be offered to children between the ages of 4 and 16 in this new center will be given by ten occupational therapists, two physiotherapists, and two spoken language pathologists, who have been trained specifically for these clients.
Sensory integration programs are designed specifically and individually and consist of very intensive and frequent therapy for a period that varies according to the need of the child. In addition to the sensory integration program, the center is also offering a new program that addresses child feeding difficulties, called ‘The Sequential Oral Sensory Feeding Approach’.
“It is a priority for this government to provide a full, inclusive and holistic education,” said Minister Clifton Grima. “This is a service of excellence for the children who attend our schools. As a ministry we have a strong team that runs a school psychologist service and works to promote a healthy psycho-educational environment. We believe that strong and inclusive investment in our children guarantees success for them, for society, and for our country “, said Minister Clifton Grima.
Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bonnett said the project was funded by European Economic Area funds, which include Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. He said that in June 2018 our country was given € 8 million from this fund – an increase of € 3 million from the previous program for our country to carry out this project and five other projects that deal with local development and development. poverty reduction. He therefore said that he would look forward to strengthening Malta’s bilateral relations with these countries, and that at the appropriate time, we would be able to announce more projects from a similar agreement.
Photos: DOI / MFH / MEYR / MEFL_PS
