Working with autistic children can be quite challenging but also very rewarding; appreciating every developmental step made however small. Recently a colleague and I had the pleasure of visiting ‘Fiona’s Farm Therapy’ and for the eleven autistic children in our classes it was amazing. The children were supported and given opportunities to stroke, feed and groom a wide variety of farm animals and for them the experience was truly invaluable.
One particular child has a fear and finds it especially difficult to touch animals, but with patience, encouragement and the incredible preparations Fiona had organised, he stroked a horse independently. It was truly a wonderful moment. On returning to school the memories the children were able to recall showed how much impact Fiona’s farm had on my class. I cannot wait to take them back there again.
Roz Connor
Rainbow Department
Green Wrythe Primary School