As part of GPG Mexico’s Corporate Social Responsibility Policies, the Bií Hioxo wind farm, in partnership with the Nacanu’ Bií Community Centre, has organised activities for the community’s benefit, including the “World Autism Day Awareness-Raising Workshop”.
World Autism Awareness Day is observed every 2nd of April. In alignment with this occasion, the Nacanu’ Bií Community Centre, aiming to strengthen its social bonds with the community, collaborated with the Multiple Attention Centre 8 to deliver an autism awareness workshop led by experts.
The workshop took place on 18 April, drawing participation from teachers across several educational institutions currently engaging in school interventions with the guidance of Project Coordinators.
More than just raising awareness, the workshop equipped the 31 attending teachers with essential tools to educate students and parents, fostering a goal to eventually eliminate the stigmas and misconceptions associated with neurological conditions like autism.
The workshop commenced with psychologist Isabel del Carmen de la Cruz Cruz discussing “ASD” (Autism Spectrum Disorder), covering causes, diagnosis, treatment, characteristics, and levels of functioning. The testimony of a blind child developing autism to Level 3 struck many teachers, leaving them deeply moved and contemplative.
At the workshop’s conclusion, several teachers engaged the speaker in conversation about the subject, concerned that their own children might be on the spectrum or eager to introduce the topic within their educational settings.
Here are some reflections from the attendees:
“The workshop was incredibly beneficial, both personally and professionally. It made us aware of many gaps in the educational sector, within our institutions, and as education professionals. It provides a fresh perspective on how to respond to such challenges and kindles our sense of humanity and empathy for our students with ASD”, stated Williams Ruiz Regalado, principal of the Cristobal Colon Elementary School.
“The emphasis on ASD was both interesting and vital; we received detailed guidance on the approach for each case or level. We were also enlightened about the life circumstances of individuals living with this condition. It is highly beneficial to offer this kind of education to staff at educational institutions; it is truly indispensable”, shared Noemí, an administrative officer from Technical Secondary School #103