Spectrum Possibilities - Barbadian Charity recipient of Donation from Digicel Barbados
Channel: bajanreporter
Date: 01/12/2012

Deborah Thompson-Smith is the Executive Director of Spectrum Possibilities. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a Specialist BSc in Psychology and a Major in Exceptionality in Human Learning (BA). Deborah is a trained guidance counsellor and was completing the final research phase of a Masters in Counselling Psychology when her younger son started to show signs of being on the autism spectrum. She switched the focus of her research from the psychology of masculinity and family and couples therapy to autism and devoted her time to finding ways to support her son and other children on the spectrum and their families. Deborah is committed to spreading the word that autism is treatable with families across the Caribbean and the wider international autism community. She is also working to accelerate access to the most effective treatments and interventions for autism to families in Barbados and the wider Caribbean.

Spectrum Possibilities aims to inspire a vision of new possibilities for positive life outcomes for persons with autism spectrum disorders through supporting, educating and empowering parents in their exploration of existing and emerging traditional and alternative treatment and intervention options. We also aim to inspire such a vision through sharing stories of hope about families and individuals on the spectrum who have shattered limiting beliefs and achieved phenomenal things never before thought possible.

We believe in promoting a compassionate and holistic understanding of each person with a suspected or diagnosed autism spectrum disorder, as a unique individual who may require a specific tailored response to their individual needs and experience at the levels of their mind, body and spirit. When we see a person with autism through this lens, we are more open to seeing the possibilities for them as an individual and to facilitate maximising their fullest potential.

We view autism as a multi-system disorder necessitating the integration of multidisciplinary perspectives for intervention. As such, we believe that each person and their family members' exposure to, and exploration of, the wide range of possible effective therapies, interventions, approaches and models of success, are critical to identifying the most beneficial interventions towards the best possible life outcomes for each individual.

We aim to make a significant contribution to transforming the reality for persons with autism spectrum disorders to achieve their best and experience a fulfilling life, accepted and participating in their communities.

In our view, the possibilities are endless ....