Education and Early Childhood Development
Health and Community Services
October 2, 2017

Provincial Government Recognizes Autism Awareness Month

The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development and the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, are joining individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families to recognize October as Autism Awareness Month.

The Provincial Government remains committed to ensuring evidence based services are delivered in a timely manner by increasing access to treatment and diagnostic services and reducing wait times.

For example, government has invested $630,000 in JASPER - Joint Attention Symbolic Play Engagement Regulation training. JASPER is a new ASD therapy that has shown significant, long-term positive results in minimally verbal children. Five master trainers are training clinicians throughout the province.

Educators are also supported through initiatives such as the online Autism in Education professional development training program.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to a Health in All Policies approach to governance. Efforts to enhance services and care for those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder include multiple departments.

The Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador is organizing events throughout October. For more information visit www.autism.nf.net/events/

Quotes
“The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development provides access to a wide variety of services such as speech language pathologists, educational psychologists, guidance counsellors and instructional resource teachers. Educators are supported by autism itinerants and can also avail of a number of professional learning opportunities such as the online Autism in Education program. The Autism in Education initiative provides professional development training for hundreds of teachers each year. We will continue to work with its many partners to ensure students with Autism Spectrum Disorder have the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
Honourable Dale Kirby
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

“There are innumerable challenges for those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and for their families and friends. While the health care system can work to address the medical needs of the illness, we as a community must work together to address the social needs. That is why Autism Awareness Month is so important – by raising awareness about the spectrum, we can help increase understanding and decrease the isolation of those people and families living with this illness.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Autism Awareness Month is a time to celebrate our differences, promote acceptance and reflect on how we can provide the best support for those who seek it. We look forward to continuing to improve the lives of individuals of all ages living on the spectrum.”
Scott Crocker
Executive Director of Autism Society Newfoundland Labrador

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Learn More
The Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador - www.autism.nf.net/

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL , @HCS_GovNL and @EDU_GovNL

Media contacts
Christopher Pickard
Education and Early Childhood Development
709-729-0048, 687-9903
christopherpickard@gov.nl.ca

Emily Timmins
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 693-1292
EmilyTimmins@gov.nl.ca

Tess Hemeon
Autism Society, Newfoundland Labrador
709-722-2803 ext. 232

2017 10 02                              2:55 p.m.