Submitted by Little Friends
Krejci Academy, the flagship school of Little Friends in Naperville, recently hosted a delegation from the country of Japan. Clinical specialists in all areas relating to autism toured the facilities gathering information, resources, and tools to further their own programs. Satoshi Nonogake, a Physical Therapist at the Aichi Aoitori Medical and Welfare Center in Nagoya, and Daisuke Imade, a Clinical Psychologist at the Okayama Support Center in Okayama, were among the group. Both were very impressed at the way the staff at Krejci make collaboration a top priority, the varying communication devices that were used, and how each child has a very personalized educational and therapeutic plan.
The group’s translator, Kiyoshi Yamaki, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Disability and Human Development from The University of Illinois-Chicago, was also impressed. “There are tools and procedures being used here that are very forward thinking.” And he went on to add that, “The delegation is asking questions and taking many notes—they are learning a great deal.”
The visit was made even more special by Amanda Wheeler, a senior from North Central College, who is currently the Special Events Intern at Little Friends. Amanda will be graduating in June with a triple major in Small Business Management, East Asian Studies, and Japanese. She was able to make welcome signs, and translate visual systems and written procedures for the visitors to take back with them. “The timing of Amanda being here couldn’t have been more perfect,” said Camille Smith, Principal at Krejci Academy.