Nashauna Drummond, Staff Reporter

Ashlei McFarlane is on her way to becoming the leading specialist on autism in Jamaica. - Contributed

Ashlei Mcfarlane's interest in how the mind works has led her to become a pioneer of sorts in Jamaica. McFarlane is a psychologist specialising in children and adolescents with autism. Her centre in the Pompano Commercial Complex, St. Mary, dubbed "Creative Therapy" is the only one of its kind on the north coast. She is also regional psychologist with the Ministry of Health - North East Region Health Authority and head of the Psychology Division at the St. Ann's Bay Hospital.

Autism

The 24-year-old told Flair said her interest developed in part because she had a cousin who was autistic. Autism is a complex developmental disability, it is of a group of disorders known as pervasive developmental disorders, it is usually manifested in the first three years of a child's life.

She explained that some of the signs include: delayed speech, preference in being alone, throwing tantrums, not wanting to be cuddled, little or no eye contact, repetition playing in which you cannot join in or interrupt them, disruption at school and hyperactive.

She notes that the long-term effect, if not treated, is going through life unable to communicate with others, locked into a world apart. "It sparked my interest because he also had five other siblings who were quite normal. But I have always been interested in how the mind works, for example, what drives a serial killer. I knew I wanted to be in the medical field but nothing to do with blood."

In Jamaica, children with autism are often diagnosed as deaf or retarded. She explained that there are no medical tests to diagnose autism and one cannot look at a child and tell he is autistic. Sometimes a child's development is normal for the first year and a half, and more boys are diagnosed with the disorder than girls.

In her practice, McFarlane treats her autism cases with a combination of applied behaviour analysis, music and art therapy.

Applied Behaviour Therapy (ABA) is based on the theory that behaviour rewarded is more likely to be repeated than behaviour ignored. ABA teaches the autistic child basic skills from dressing to complex skills such as social interaction. Music and art therapy she incorporates as complementary approaches. "Music therapy develops speech and art therapy can provide a non-verbal, symbolic way for the autistic child to express himself", she explained.

Education

After graduating from St. Hilda's High School, McFarlane attended Manhattan College in New York where she majored in liberal arts with a focus on psychology and the biological sciences. While there she volunteered at the Anne Schwartz Center for Abused Girls for four years. "It was very interesting coming from a sheltered middle class background. I never even watched Crime Stop, or knew anyone who was killed. I saw children who were born to crack- addicted mothers or abused. I was raised that to whom much is given much is required. I was able to give to these children who are so much in need of my help."

In 2004, McFarlane received her Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Hartford University. She is expected to receive her PhD from the same institution next year.

The focus of her graduate study is autism in children and Adolescents: Effective Naturapathic Remedies. "It is a very complex research project involving the use of numerous non-prescription remedies including some medicinal plants found here in Jamaica," said Mcfarlane. Her PhD is a catalyst to pursue the Doctor of Naturapathy course at the Clayton College of Natural Health in the United States "I will use this education to treat all behavioural and learning problems in children using natural medicines, with a special focus on autism."

Mental Well-being

Mcfarlane notes that in Jamaica it's a popular misconception that only crazy persons or persons with severe mental problems go to a psychologist. "We are such a religious country that if we have a problem we go and talk to our pastor or to a member of our extended family. But we need to maintain psychological well-being. We have a severe crime rate, which has impacted on us. Economic conditions are depressing people. Nine out of 10 persons in Jamaica are depressed. We have bills to pay, children who are being raped."

She noted that while working at the Anne Schwartz center she too had to see a psychologist. "For a while I too had to see a psychologist to talk about it. Then when September 11 happened I was two blocks away and I actually saw the planes hit the building. After that I saw children who were also trying to come to terms with what had happened and I had to make sure I was mentally healthy to be able to help them".

Passion

Mcfarlane's passion for her study of autism are evident in her speech once the subject is brought up. "My greatest pleasure of my job is to see a family who is completely distraught and frustrated with the diagnosis of their child with autism, blossom through therapy into a cohesive and optimistic unit as their child develops social and language skills and becomes more settled."

But she remains a typical 24-year-old and when not engulfed in her work can be found in a shopping mall. "I'm a shop-a-holic," she admits with a music collection as varied as from 50 Cent to African drums."