History of Puresouls

OUR IMPACT

Patrick’s has been forefront of increasing awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder in Nigeria.

Since 2006, Patrick Speech and Language Centers have catered for more than 500 children and adolescents living with Autism, some of whom have come back to the center to work as staff. It has also conducted more than 8 quarterly outreaches/consultations and we were able to assessment over 1000 indigent families.

The continuum of care that epitomizes Patrick Speech has evolved into the Gazelle studio; a skill acquisition center for adolescents living with special needs. At the Gazelle studio.

In addition, PSLC has championed the showcasing of talents of persons with Autism by engaging them in stage performances at our annual program, Talents In Autism, which ran for 10 consecutive years form 2008-2018.

The centre has continued to rely on the goodwill of corporate organizations that have assisted us with donations/grants.  These have enable us offer our services at highly subsidized fees for our pupils and also offer scholarships for more 100 indigent children.

TRAINING

Pure Souls Learning Foundation has organized more than 80 trainings for parents, siblings, teachers, therapists as well as caregivers of children with developmental challenges.

Below are some of the training topics

• What is Autism?
• Autism & Communication
• Autism & Differentiated Learning
• Autism & Inclusion
• Behavioral Management
• Communication and Listening Skills
• Communication Skills
• Diet and Nutrition
• Hone School Partnership
• Independent Life Skills
• Developing and Managing IEPs
• Mental Health for Families (Learn to prepare healthy meal for your family with no Msg)
• Nutritional Support for Healthy Living
• Self-Help Skills
• Sensory Processing Disorder & Motor Skills
• Social Skills Development in Autism Spectrum Disorder
• How to help the individual with Autism gain Speech
• Sensory & Communication Techniques
• Diet & Health
• Requisite Skills for the detection & appreciation of appropriate developmental practices in children with Special Needs
• Healthy Relationships & Autism: A Guide to Adulthood
• Understanding Autism from the inside out
• Developing Self-Regulation in our children
• Antibullying &Tolerance
• Food Intolerance Testing
• Symptoms of Sensory Integration Dysfunction
• Communication: A Special Attention to Makaton
• Training on Assessment
• Caregivers Training on Behaviour
• Early Childhood
• Functional Life Skills
• Self-Help Skills
• Vocational Skills
• Developing the Network Support
• Curriculum Review
• What Is Sign Language?
• Help!!!! My Child Is Growing
• Autism & Diet
• Speech, Language & Communication for individuals with Down Syndrome
• Integration of Special Needs children into mainstream school as well as the community
• Sex Education
• The home school partnership

OUR KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:

• Opening of the first Centre for Autism in Nigeria in year 2006
• Integration of our first child to a mainstream school in 2007
• Launching of first Autism Magazine (Pure Souls) in 2008
• In 2008 Dr. Donia Fahim from the UK was brought to the Centre to train members of Staff
• In 2010, we collaborated with Gtbank to organize the first Autism Conference in Nigeria
• Production of the Award winning Film on Autism in Nigeria “SILVER LINING” in year 2012
• In 2012 Blazing trail from United States of America organized a one-on-one assessment session for children with Autism and other related disabilities.
• Organized Talent in Autism concert showcasing the various talents of the children and adults living with Autism in Nigeria, since 2013.
• In 2013, created  awareness on Autism in Warri Delta State on “Defeat Autism and be a voice for the voiceless”
• Production of Autism Awareness infomercial in pidgin version to enable the common man to understand what Autism is all about “MAID”, 2014
• Autism Awareness at the Lagos State office for disability affairs Tagged: “IS IT AUTISM”, 2014.
• In 2014, Mrs. Heather Mackenzie from Canada was brought in to train both parent and staff on Developing self-regulation in our children and Autism from the inside out.
• Production of a short film of some of the signs of Autism “EMERE” nominated for In Short film festival award in 2015.
• In 2015,  was nominated and eventually won Vlisco Woman of the Year 2015 for the work done over the years with families living with Autism in Nigeria
• Campaign for the education of rural mothers and families of children with developmental disorders Tagged: “KNOW YOUR CHILD”, 2015
• In 2015, Production of an Animation film titled “Demystifying Autism”. To educate teenagers on the signs of Autism. Nominated for AFRRIFF.
• Integration of over 70 children into mainstream education.
• Introduction of vocational services to our adolescents and adults.
• Sponsorship/scholarship of more than 100 children since 2006.
• Involvement in the development of other Centres around the nation.
• 1^st Centre certified by International Board for Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) in Nigeria.
• Organisation of 3-day quarterly free therapy outreach for indigent families.
• Periodic trainings for parents of individuals living with Autism.
• Opening of a skill acquisition Centre for adults with disability (Gazelle Studio).
• Employment opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities.
• Introduction of Art workshop/exhibitions for special needs individuals.
• Opening of parents/caregivers digital platform
• Opening of a weekly motivational social media programme title “Living and Thriving with Autism”

AWARDS

• Vlisco Ambassador Women’s month 2015 winner.
• Merit Award by Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs 2017.
• Bump Up Mom Award or Strength, Courage & Rising above all odds by Working Moms 2014.
• Special Education Service Provider by Federal College of Education Special Oyo 2017.
• Recognition Award by Ministry of Education 2012.
• Mum in the Community for doing extra-ordinary things in the Home and Larger Community with great Love by Working Moms 2014.
• Award of Excellence by The Business of Education 2019.
• Honorary Award by Healthy Minds Initiative 2015.
• Humanitarian Award by Joy in Africa Foundation
• Award of Excellence by Olusoye Compensation Centre 2018.
• Award of appreciation of outstanding contributions to the welfare of persons living with Autism and related disabilities in Nigeria by The Dewords Community for Special Needs 2018.
• Award in recognition of your contribution as a facilitation at the 9^th Annual Apen Conference by Association of Private Education in Nigeria 2018.
• Award of Community Leadership Organization by International Naturally Autistic People (INAP) AWARDS 2017.
• Award of best Song/Poem Presentation by African Women Lawyers Association, Nigeria