BY LUKE DOUGLAS Career & Education senior reporter editorial@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, August 07, 2011
WHILE most teens are focused on the latest fashion fad or out having fun with friends, 16-year-old Arielle Berry spends much of her time helping children with learning disabilities and raising funds to assist with their development.
For the past two summers, Berry has spearheaded projects that have raised more than $100,000 for the Jamaica Autism Support Association (JASA), which is dedicated to helping people affected by autism spectrum disorder.
Supported by her family and friends, her activities are helping to raise awareness about this complex neurological condition that affects one in every 150 children.
“Last year, I decided to work with Aunty Lisa because I was interested in occupational therapy (and) I always liked working with children,” said Berry, who will be a high school senior when she returns next month to Choate Rosemary Hall, her boarding in school in Wallingford, Connecticut, in the United States.
‘Aunty Lisa’ is occupational therapist and family friend Lisa Stoddart Millingen, who operates Therapy Plus near Liguanea in St Andrew, which provides services for children with disabilities, especially autism.
Working with the children made the pleasant teen realise how much attention and therapy they need, and has sparked her interest in a career working with the special needs community.
“I am definitely interested in working with kids in autism. I have learnt how much attention they need, the different care each child needs, and also how intelligent and bright they are. I don’t know how in-depth I will go, but right now I am definitely interested,” Berry told Career & Education.
And so this summer — like last summer — she volunteered her weekday mornings for three weeks, providing hands-on attention to children ranging from about three to 12 years old.
In an effort to generate money towards JASA, Berry, through her family, last year received a donation of a BlackBerry smartphone and had it raffled at $200 per ticket. The effort realised an impressive $55,000.
The innovative teen continued her fund-raising efforts this year, acquiring bright green wristbands imprinted with the words “Action for Autism”. Another $50,000 was raised.
The wristbands were placed in retail stores and pharmacies and were also sold by persons in the autism community.
“It spreads the message further than just raffling a BlackBerry,” Berry said of this year’s effort.
Co-founder of JASA Kathy Chang is particularly proud of the teen for her work. She said such a successful individual fund-raising effort is first for the organisation.
“The passion Arielle has for these children and the gift she has for working with them is unbelievable. All the kids love her,” she beamed.
But while Chang is pleased at JASA’s accomplishments in spreading the word about autism, she said there is still much to be done.
“We would like to sensitise persons about autism, to make it easier for families to take out their child with autism, for them not to be judged, and in general to get understanding,” she said.
The money raised by Berry will go towards JASA’s effort to establish a resource centre for parents.
“This resource centre is important because many parents don’t know where to turn when their child is diagnosed. They need a place where they can get books, DVDs, go online for information, and where they can get counselling,” she disclosed.
JASA is also lobbying for more training for special education teachers, training for all teachers and doctors to identify autistic children; and for costly medication to be listed under the National
