Health and Community Services
April 2, 2015
Supporting the Health of Families and Communities
Provincial Government Recognizes World Autism Awareness Day
The Provincial Government is recognizing today, April 2, as World Autism Awareness Day in Newfoundland and Labrador. World Autism Awareness Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the disorder and its impact on individuals and their families.
�We know that Autism Spectrum Disorder is a challenging condition, both for the individual and families involved. It affects one in 68 children and these figures continue to grow each year. World Autism Awareness Day calls attention to the importance of continued collaboration�across government departments, within the health and education systems and with community organizations such as the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador�to assist those affected including their support networks.�
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services
The Provincial Government continues to invest in timely diagnosis and improved services to better assist both children and adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Approximately $12.5 million is invested annually to support intervention services for individuals with developmental disabilities, including ASD.
�The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is committed to improving services for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Through an effective working partnership among government departments, the school districts and our community partners, students diagnosed with ASD have access to numerous supports including educational professionals, assistive technologies and programming to address social, communication, and academic skills.�
- The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
The Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador is a charitable organization dedicated to promoting the development of individual, lifelong and community-based supports and services for people with autism spectrum disorder and their support networks. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador continues to support the organization with an annual grant of approximately $507,000.
�The Provincial Government, particularly the Department of Health and Community Services, works closely with the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador to better understand real issues challenging those with autism and take steps to help address those challenges. Providing more health care practitioners to assist with early assessment and diagnosis was a huge step; waitlists for diagnosis are now in the range of six to nine months. This means critical interventions begin sooner, and that improves lives for those with autism and their families. The Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador very much appreciates the continued positive dialogue with ministers and their officials.�
- Scott Crocker, Executive Director, Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Provincial Government will be supporting the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and World Autism Awareness Day by lighting Confederation Building blue�the colour for autism awareness�on April 2. For more information about ASD and to get involved with the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador visit www.autism.nf.net. 
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government is recognizing today, April 2, as World Autism Awareness Day in Newfoundland and Labrador to raise awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
- ASD affects one in 68 children.
- The Provincial Government invests approximately $12.5 million annually to support intervention services for individuals with developmental disabilities, including ASD.
- The Provincial Government will be supporting the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and World Autism Awareness Day by lighting Confederation Building blue on April 2.
- For more information about the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador visit www.autism.nf.net.
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Media contacts:
| John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca |
Blair Medd Director of Communications Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 709-729-0048, 631-8465 blairmedd@gov.nl.ca |
| Scott Crocker Executive Director Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador 709-722-2803 scrocker@autism.nf.net |
2015 04 02 10:20 a.m.