Since the last federal budget was released three years ago, no additional funding has been allocated for autism support in the NWT, said Denise McKee, executive director of the NWT Disabilities Council.

SA国际影视传媒淲e are one of the only territories or provinces without a supported autism initiative,SA国际影视传媒� said McKee. SA国际影视传媒淲e need to start putting the oversight dollars into services that directly support families and listen to families as to what they need.SA国际影视传媒�

The first time autism was ever identified in a federal budget was in 2018-SA国际影视传媒�19 and it was paired with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

From the $848,000 that was allocated to autism and FASD in the territory, a position was created for an occupational therapist that specializes in autism, SA国际影视传媒渨hich has sat vacant,SA国际影视传媒� McKee said of the role. SA国际影视传媒淭he Autism Society NWT reached out to indicate families need direct support and to see how much of that money was designated for autism and was never answered.SA国际影视传媒�

McKee is campaigning for more autism-specific support, including diagnostic services, early intervention and employment support.

SA国际影视传媒淒isabilities as a whole is underfunded in NWT,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 millions being spent sending people down south for treatment rather then in their community, where, by their own human rights, (they) should be able to receive treatment.SA国际影视传媒�

Policymakers say they do not have the resources to provide support within the territory, said McKee, SA国际影视传媒渁nd we really challenge that speculation.SA国际影视传媒�

McKee is also president of the Autism Society NWT, which is run by volunteers and has no funding.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a long wait-list for families that need support and many are told to go down south for supports,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭his puts them dire and critical situations.SA国际影视传媒�

She understands this issue well SA国际影视传媒� her 24-year-old son, Conlan, has non-verbal autism and his need for support far outweighs what the government can provide him, she said.

SA国际影视传媒淎s a family we struggle to get supports and opportunities for him despite the fact that we have a better understanding of the system and navigation simply because there are so few resources and services and almost all are for children,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Conlan was born in Ontario and was diagnosed at 2.5 years. He received early child intervention until age five, and was supported by an education assistant and the autism team until the family moved to the NWT when he was 11.

For a short period, the family lived in the small hamlet of Aklavik. Although the community was supportive, the resources were almost SA国际影视传媒渘on-existent,SA国际影视传媒� according to McKee. SA国际影视传媒淗e had an amazing classroom assistant (CA) that worked closely with the family but he was not able to progress without the supports.SA国际影视传媒�

Without the consistency in care, ConlanSA国际影视传媒檚 progress stalled, so the family moved to Yellowknife believing they could access more support.

SA国际影视传媒淗e did have CAs that worked closely with the family and we were able to develop school programming which helped,SA国际影视传媒� McKee said. SA国际影视传媒淗owever, his communication and need were never met to allow him to progress due to limited resources and supports by the time he entered secondary school.SA国际影视传媒�

When Conlan left high sch0ol, he was able to work for a period with support, but that ended when the pandemic hit.

ConlanSA国际影视传媒檚 siblings moved away to attend university, and the family was again left scrambling for support.

SA国际影视传媒淲e had to fight for every opportunity and any support he received. This has affected every aspect of our life, from career choices to where we can live,SA国际影视传媒� said McKee.

As soon as he turned 18, like thousands of Canadians with health concerns, he fell through the gaps in care.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was as if he no longer mattered,SA国际影视传媒� McKee said.

Support workers talked about sending him south.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat seems to be the go-to when any complex needs are presented,SA国际影视传媒� said McKee, who considers her family fortunate enough to try to manage his challenges at home.

SheSA国际影视传媒檚 concerned for other families in her situation who are given no other option but to send their loved ones away.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is not how we should be supporting people and families in Canada and the Northwest Territories,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淎ll people should be supported in their community among family and people that care.SA国际影视传媒�

McKee is calling for more funding and a long-term, sustainable home-based solution.

SA国际影视传媒淭he answer is to work with families for planning throughout that will meet the needs of the individual across the lifespan,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

What is Autism?

According to the Autism Society NWT, SA国际影视传媒淎utism is a lifelong neuro-developmental disorder that affects the way people interact and communicate with those around them. Each child and adult with an ASD (autism spectrum disorder) is unique and has their own strengths, gifts and support needs. First identified in 1943 by Leo Kanner, Autism Spectrum Disorder is one of the pervasive developmental disorders of childhood onset.

SA国际影视传媒淭he symptoms of autism may be present from birth, but they may not be noticed until a child is two or three, when language normally develops. ASD is characterized by difficulties in communication and impairments in social interactions, a unique and restricted range of interests and activities. These neurological characteristics are common to all ASDs, but symptoms can vary widely among individuals.SA国际影视传媒�

According to Canada.ca, around 1 in 66 children and youth is diagnosed with ASD in Canada, and SA国际影视传媒渁n ASD diagnosis can involve significant emotional and financial challenges.SA国际影视传媒�

Autism Awareness Day is marked on April 2.