Ceylinco opens school for children with autism

ANOTHER FIRST: Ceylinco Sussex College will be opening an English medium school for children with autism.

The school will be opened today in Nugegoda.

Ceylinco Sussex College for children with autism is the first professionally designed school in Sri Lanka to meet the unique needs of these children.

Autism is a developmental disorder which is found in about 1 in 150 people worldwide, although research carried out in advanced countries such as U.S.A., U.K., Canada has so far failed to provide a satisfactory answer to the causes of this disorder.

Some parents have pleaded with Chairman, Ceylinco Consolidated, Dr. Lalith Kotelawala to start a school to brighten the future of these children.

Chairman on hearing of this, readily gave his blessings to go ahead with this cause.

There is no fully equipped centre to detect such children in Sri Lanka at present.

Teachers are professionally trained by National and International experts to work with children with autism and it follows National (Government) curriculum and includes life-skills training.

Extracurricular activities include swimming, IT, drama, yoga and music.

Therapists of different areas will visit school weekly to assist teachers and the children with specific difficulties. The Principal is Anthe Ickx; who is a clinical psychologist specialised in autism and related disorders.

Chairman, Ceylinco Consolidated, Dr. Lalith Kotelawala and S.P.C. Kotelawala will open the school.