Hi my name is Jack Peter Armstrong, I am 6 years old and I have Autism. 

 

 

My Mum and Dad are trying to help me achieve a better quality of life using the Son-Rise treatment and educational programme.

 

My Dad (Mark) went on the initial Son-rise start-up programme January last year.  This web-site is to aid my ongoing progress and development and to share with family and friends all my achievements.

 

We had a room converted for me and when dad returned we put all he had learnt into action.

 

Mummy (Natalie) says

 

At first we noticed some encouraging signs of improvement, eye contact had got better and there were days when Jack said over 5 words, maybe not always in context but speech alone was a fantastic heart warming move in the right direction.

 

The programme will take years and the number hours spent with Jack each week applying the strategies and techniques is influential towards his development towards a better quality of life, so it is important that we achieve at least 30 - 45 hours per week in the son-rise room.

 

To achieve the numbers of hours we asked for volunteers. Three important factors that a son – rise volunteer must have is Enthusiasm, Excitement and Energy otherwise known as the 3 E’s.

 

The Volunteers are such a major importance, not only with the hours they contribute to the programme but also the relationship they build with Jack as well. It is evident with Jack the more hours he spends in the room with mum, dad and his best friends (volunteers) the more relaxed, happier and improved he is with his eye contact, speech and interaction.

 

We are very fortunate to have a great team of volunteers helping Jack who we value very much but with 45hours a week to achieve we are always looking for extra help

 

To enhance the programme we have also acquired Out Reach Training once a month which entails a trainer visiting the home. They work with Jack in his room for part of the day under the eye of CCTV with mum, dad and volunteers observing, making notes and question for the Q&A meeting which is sat at the end of the day.   The other part of the day is when mum, dad and volunteers each spend time in the room with Jack but this time under the watchful eye of the trainer, who will give feedback and answer any questions after the session.  We also have a play therapist who comes from Son-Rise come and work with Jack for the whole day 1-1, and then hold questions and answers after her sessions with Jacks parents and volunteers.

 

Son- Rise Centre is based in America a consultation line is available which is really helpful when you need advice.

 

 The big step of the journey and one we are really looking forward to because we believe it will boost Jacks progress and our skill base which we will share with the volunteers is the visit to the intensive training course at the Son Rise centre in June.

 

 

We knew we could not fund all this by ourselves and we started to Fund raise the cost of Jack’s Son-Rise programme we have been overwhelmed with the support we have received.

 

We took Jack out of his Local Education Special Needs School Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays from Sept 09  so he could spend more time on the Son-Rise programme where we can see where all the benefits.  We requested to Cheshire West and Chester LEA to fund Jacks progress in June last which they declined.  We had another review with the LEA on 2nd Feb to request funding for the Education that is having such a great impact on Jacks life but on his family, wider family and friends.

 

We are still awaiting the Results.