Parents of children with autism held an awareness rally at the legislature Thursday to try to encourage government to put more supports in place for children with autism.
It was also an issue that dominated question period Thursday as Opposition Leader Olive Crane questioned government about whether an autism strategy is being developed and what it would look like.
But when Crane began asking questions, none of the ministers knew who should answer. The premier was out of the province Thursday, and as the first question was asked, all the ministers looked to each other, baffled at who should stand and answer.
That’s because autism falls under three different departments. Initial assessment of the disability is done by the Health Department. Once the child has been diagnosed, parents must go to the Department of Social Services to access funding for aid through the Disability Support Program (DSP). After that, jurisdiction travels to the Education and Early Childhood Development Department to access specialists who work with the children through pre-school and school.
Child centres on brink, group says
Parents and early childhood educators rallied in front of Province House Thursday, giving out black ribbons to signify the imminent death of the early childhood sector if government doesn’t step in to help.
The sector has been in limbo ever since government announced last year it was moving kindergarten from day-care centres into the public school system in 2010. This move will mean a loss of almost $3 million to those centres, as well as a loss of over 100 early childhood educators (ECEs), who will also move to schools teaching kindergarten.
Without that core kindergarten funding, many centres — especially those in rural areas — will likely be forced to close.
That’s because the amount parents pay for child care is not enough to cover wages and operating costs, despite the relatively low wages paid to ECEs on P.E.I. Early childhood advocates have long been warning government of the imminent crisis facing the sector, but they have yet to have any firm commitment for financial help. So on Thursday, a group of about 50 parents, ECEs and children gathered at the legislature to bring the issue to the politicians.
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