Two ACI Students listening to instructions performed by a Volunteer for Vex Robotics KAT JENSEN/25051318
Autism Cook Islands (ACI) recently launched its Vex Robotics program, which allows children with autism to collaborate and build projects together with volunteers.
Kat Jensen, the ACI programs manager, emphasised that Vex Robotics encourages social interaction among the children, helping them develop confidence and improve their social skills. The Vex Robotics sessions are held every Friday from 3 PM to 4 PM at Studio Blue, located on the back road in Nikao.
Last week, 12 children and four volunteers participated in the program. In comparison, nine children attended the Vex Robotics program last year.
This year, three new families have joined ACI, and Jensen anticipates welcoming two more families during this Friday’s second session.
During lessons with Autism Specialist Hannah Perry at various schools on Rarotonga, Jensen met parents who were unfamiliar with ACI and its offerings.
She took the opportunity to introduce ACI’s programs for Term 2 and invited these parents to visit Studio Blue to gain a better understanding of ACI’s mission and activities.
Last Thrusday, a second cooking session was held from 1:30 PM to 3 PM. Seven students attended this session, where they worked with Jayme Tangatakino, the ACI café manager, alongside two volunteer teacher aides from Nukutere to bake chocolate chip cookies. A reading programme took place yesterday with four students doing one on one reading lessons with Kris Farmer from Apii Avarua.
