Our Autism Programme works through two important initiatives, both in collaboration with a specialist Autism team working in Tenerife with Pilot Whale families. They have been conducting research into the impact of being in the presence of pilot whales with autistic children and women suffering from trauma. The Fair Earth Foundation has invested heavily in state of the art technology through which they can empirically measure the positive impact of such interactions. (Search: Pilot Whale Ocean Therapy Tenerife). Part of the funds raised will help fund their ongoing work including wages, boat rentals, equipment and all logistics. This work is ground breaking and through it we will be able to see ‘scientifically’ the value of the relationship between humanity and nature, and the importance of e connecting with nature for all of us.
The second initiative is to make possible for autistic children to visit the pilot whales on an on-going basis through creating a low-cost programme ‘Kids for Dolphins’. The cost of flights to Tenerife, out of holiday season, is such that children could make regular visits to the whales (and more) so building a long term relationship.
The following is a long weekend dolphin break aimed at autistic children and to be trialled during Earth Week. It has been designed by autistics and those living with family members who are autistic.
It will be low cost but with funding we can offer scholarships and accessibility to those from particularly disadvantaged backgrounds
Kids 4 Dolphins A discussion document
There is no doubt that children, and especially autistic children, benefit hugely from interaction with whales and dolphins. Swim with dolphin programmes that exist are exorbitantly expensive so that little if any long term benefit is possible and are by their nature exploitative of both dolphins and the children involved.
The programme we are developing in Tenerife in collaboration with Pilot Whale Therapy aims to provide a long term relationship with autistic children in which they can afford to visit ‘their’ dolphins (pilot whales) on a regular basis (flights to Tenerife are very cheap out of season and whale watching trips too).
We will build on long weekend visits (longer is fine) through which children visit the whales and build up a relationship with them. The pilot whales live in family groups, are matriarchal, have social roles, personalities and characters…and they have names. Children will quickly learn to identify individuals and will make friends. They will be involved in two important research projects. Firstly, they will
looking at social behaviour and structure within the whale families visited, something our experience has shown us they have greater ability to observe and do than trained graduates, taking their notes.
Secondly, we will monitoring their brain activity throughout each interaction with the aim of analysing and quantifying the relationship between interaction with whales which we know to be calming. We aim to produce empirical evidence of this.
We aim to make the whole experience ‘magical’ so that children want to return and will modify their behaviour in order to be allowed to do so!! We want to create long term relationships for the children involved. As an Experiential Learning programme, we will ‘listen’ to each individual and create an individual learning plan (we call them Action Plans). The Plans will guide their individual journey with the programme. The benefits will be huge.
Key elements:
SUPPORT this programme . make it accessible to ALL autistic children.
The second initiative is to make possible for autistic children to visit the pilot whales on an on-going basis through creating a low-cost programme ‘Kids for Dolphins’. The cost of flights to Tenerife, out of holiday season, is such that children could make regular visits to the whales (and more) so building a long term relationship.
The following is a long weekend dolphin break aimed at autistic children and to be trialled during Earth Week. It has been designed by autistics and those living with family members who are autistic.
It will be low cost but with funding we can offer scholarships and accessibility to those from particularly disadvantaged backgrounds
Kids 4 Dolphins A discussion document
There is no doubt that children, and especially autistic children, benefit hugely from interaction with whales and dolphins. Swim with dolphin programmes that exist are exorbitantly expensive so that little if any long term benefit is possible and are by their nature exploitative of both dolphins and the children involved.
The programme we are developing in Tenerife in collaboration with Pilot Whale Therapy aims to provide a long term relationship with autistic children in which they can afford to visit ‘their’ dolphins (pilot whales) on a regular basis (flights to Tenerife are very cheap out of season and whale watching trips too).
We will build on long weekend visits (longer is fine) through which children visit the whales and build up a relationship with them. The pilot whales live in family groups, are matriarchal, have social roles, personalities and characters…and they have names. Children will quickly learn to identify individuals and will make friends. They will be involved in two important research projects. Firstly, they will
looking at social behaviour and structure within the whale families visited, something our experience has shown us they have greater ability to observe and do than trained graduates, taking their notes.
Secondly, we will monitoring their brain activity throughout each interaction with the aim of analysing and quantifying the relationship between interaction with whales which we know to be calming. We aim to produce empirical evidence of this.
We aim to make the whole experience ‘magical’ so that children want to return and will modify their behaviour in order to be allowed to do so!! We want to create long term relationships for the children involved. As an Experiential Learning programme, we will ‘listen’ to each individual and create an individual learning plan (we call them Action Plans). The Plans will guide their individual journey with the programme. The benefits will be huge.
Key elements:
- Immersion in nature- visiting nature spots on the island
- Star gazing, Forest bathing
- Visiting animal rescue centres- dogs, cats
- Introduction to such as yoga and meditation
- Introduction to craft skills- pottery, fabric, painting
- Conservation- a percentage of payments and all fundraising efforts to be directed at projects of their choice. Empowering them.
- Education they will learn about cetaceans, about animal behaviour, about conservation issues and about research methods. We will develop specialist ‘learning’ games.
- Research By being involved in the developing research work they will build skills, acquire knowledge, improve self-esteem. All empowering.
- Parents will have access to a powerful tool to help guide their children.
- Self esteem, self confidence, skills development, knowledge…………………………
- Friendship groups between participants and with local children will be developed. Sharing gifts
- Raising funds to support ‘their’ ideas
- The whole experience from accommodation, food, the boats, the travel and all sensory elements will be developed within the autistic community.
SUPPORT this programme . make it accessible to ALL autistic children.