Four schools to open their grounds for autistic children

Access to schools for children with autism • Video by Ray Attard

The grounds of four more schools will be made accessible for children suffering with autism over the summer months. In line with the government initiative which was announced in October of last year by Education Minister Evarist Bartolo, schools in four localities around Malta and Gozo will be added to the scheme.

These schools are St Paul’s primary school, others in Attard, Marsaxlokk and Fgura, as well as the Xewkija primary school in Gozo – where today’s conference was held. In attendance was the Prime Minister’s wife, Michelle Muscat, as well as parents of autistic children.

Speaking to Malta Today, Muscat praised the initiative, and claimed that autism was not always understood by the general public. “It is normal for us to take our children to areas like playgrounds, public gardens or parks, but these same areas are out of the question for some parents,” she said. “Through this scheme, these children can play with other children, whilst the parents gather with their families with their minds at peace.”

Meanwhile, Autism Parents Association spokesperson Valerie Brincat – herself a parent of three autistic children – also praised the initiative. “This opens up an option for parents with autistic children because there is no real sense of danger,” she said. “Families can use the outing as a means of uniting, whilst in a safe place. What these children really need is a stable environment in order to get the necessary support.”

St Paul’s primary school will be open on Fridays from 6pm to 9pm and Saturdays from 9 am till noon. The Attard and Marsaxlokk primary schools will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm till 9pm and Sunday and public holidays from 9 am till noon. Fgura’s primary school will be open on Sundays and public holidays from 9am till noon and the Xewkija primary school will be open on Fridays from 6pm till 9pm and Saturdays from 9am till noon.