Autism services review needed

HALIFAX -- April is Autism Acceptance Month in Nova Scotia and the NDP Caucus along with autism advocates are calling on the Liberal government to conduct an audit of services across all departments through an autism lens.

“Individuals and families who need access to autism-support services need to know the government has considered how different programs are set up to support or exclude autistic people,” said NDP Education spokesperson Claudia Chender. “Too many people have had to make their stories public in order to get the support they need. We should be doing the work now to make sure the services are readily available when they’re needed.”

A government-wide autism strategy is needed to ensure the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Department of Community Services, and the Department of Health and Wellness break down silos of supports for those in need.

“The future is very scary for my family. What will happen when my son graduates, if we even makes it that far? Services for children are in short supply but services for adults are dire,” said Carly Sutherland, who has publicly advocated for her son Callum. “I am calling on the government to do this review to alleviate the fears that I and many others carry around like a load of bricks. It is our loved ones’ basic human right to receive the proper education, health care, housing, and community supports.”

Parents and caregivers want to ensure services are accessible for everyone who may need them. Tara Mills recently had to go public with her story after struggling to access support for her son.

"What we need is a roadmap; something that lays out a clear path of available services and programs so that individuals and families are able to choose and access supports as needed,” said Mills. "We need way more transparency around what is available and when. Sometimes you don't even know options are available until you're well past the point of needing them."

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