45 Conversations Media & Education Ltd.

Early Learning & Child Care Consulting + Online ECE Workshops

Faces of Autism: Day of Action 2009 – This Thurs Nov 19 @ PEI Legislature 1pm

by Leave a Comment

A group of passionate Island parents have joined together to bring awareness to the challenges related to raising children affected by Autism.  An awareness campaign called  Faces of Autism: Day of Action 2009 has been developed. The group are calling on the Government of Prince Edward Island to implement a
Provincial Autism Strategy to improve the services available to all
individuals affected by Autism on PEI. In recent weeks the Faces of Autism Facebook Page has grown to in excess of 700 fans; so clearly there is increasing and strong support for Island families affected by Autism.

Across PEI families have waited for assessments, waited
for treatment, waited for training, waited for accountability and
waited for a Provincial Autism Strategy. Autism
affects 1 in 100 children now.  Enough talk. It is time for action.

An Autism Awareness Rally is being held on November 19, 2009 at the PEI Legislature. Please lend your support by stopping by the Rally on Thursday at 1pm.  For further information email facesofautism2009@gmail.com

Who: This is a family-led initiative, but anyone is welcome to join in support

What: Autism Awareness Rally

Why: To remind Government MLAs that children affected by autism deserve improved services.

Where: PEI Legislature, 165 Richmond Street

When: Thursday, November 19, 2009 from 1:00pm

No-Nos: No traffic
disruption, no kids near traffic, no disorderly conduct, keep it
non-partisan, law abiding, respectful & focused on Autism.

Call for Improved Autism Services on PEI – Online Petition – Please Sign

by Leave a Comment

Call for Improved Autism Services on Prince Edward Island

We, the undersigned,draw the attention of the Members of the Legislative Assembly of PEI to the following;

Whereas the most recent research by the U.S. government and the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) indicates a prevalence rate of 1 in 100 children are now affected by autism;

And Whereas on Prince Edward Island, Government’s own data indicates that hundreds of Islanders are living with Autism;

And Whereas lengthy wait times persist for diagnosis and treatment and ongoing staffing shortages are having a negative impact on service delivery;

And Whereas the Miriam Foundation’s Canadian Best Practices Guidelines state the time between the referral from a primary practitioner and the beginning of the interdisciplinary assessment should be no longer than three months;

And Whereas the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island passed Motion No. 60 one year ago on November 20, 2008 which committed to address the challenges facing Islanders of all ages and the families/caregivers impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorders;

And Whereas numerous studies by government have identified the urgent need to upgrade autism services, including the Disability Services Review;

And Whereas a year later no substantial improvements to services have been made to these services;

Therefore your petitioners request the Members of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island to immediately improve autism services for all individuals affected by autism by implementing a comprehensive Provincial Autism Strategy.

via facesofautism.wordpress.com