There is a flurry of activity on Rechov Rashi and Tachkemoni
in the Mekor Baruch section of Jerusalem near Geula. As you
walk by and listen very carefully, you can hear the voices of
the children of Tishma asking for a nosh, saying a new word
for the first time, or singing the Alef Bais.
Autistic children need special attention and Tishma certainly
gives it to them. The Tishma method focuses on individualized
education taught on a 1:1 teacher-to- student ratio. This
special method is called Applied Behavior Analysis or ABA.
ABA is the science of behavior that is directly applied to
each child individually in tailor-made curriculums. One of
Tishma's main objectives is to mainstream children with
autism. This is possible with the specialized ABA method.
Best results have been when children begin as early as
possible and are given support from their families through
parent education.
Tishma is the first school of its kind inside Israel,
utilizing ABA with a one-on-one comprehensive approach to
address the needs of autistic children and their families.
Within the first months of operation, word spread throughout
the country of the benefits achieved at Tishma in Jerusalem
with its initial group of students and their families.
Parents in dire need of help with autistic children have
applied from all over Israel in numbers that the modest-sized
school of hope cannot absorb or handle at this time.
Concerned that the school was being forced to turn away
despairing parents and children in acute need of appropriate
and timely treatment, Moshe Weinstein, of Tishma Jerusalem,
arranged a meeting with Deputy Minister of Education, Harav
Avraham Ravitz MK, to discuss ways of expanding the services
of Tishma in the coming school year. Harav Ravitz was visibly
moved when Mr. Weinstein described the tremendous progress
made by each of the students. Children who couldn't make eye
contact when they first arrived are now fully relating to
others during the circle time program. A child who could not
speak when entering the program, now asks for her doll.
Demonstrating a genuine appreciation for the urgent nature of
the need, Harav Ravitz responded with a commitment to do all
he can to help Tishma in its expansion efforts. Harav Ravitz
stated that support for these kinds of programs should be a
high priority for all those in public life, adding, "I won't
stop fighting until all families with children with
disabilities have the quality programs and care they
deserve." He suggested that everyone rally behind programs of
this nature "to ensure that excellence in the education of
children with autism and other disabilities be our foremost
requirement."
The next time you walk by the school on Rashi Street in
Jerusalem, you may hear the beautiful sounds of the children
as they raise their voices in joy while learning. It is a
sound that melts the hearts of parents and brings tears of
happiness to their eyes.
One day, soon, their children will be speaking, playing,
learning and making the kind of progress they are capable of,
because of the special love and attention they receive at
Tishma.
