MLA accepts thanks, but still looking to ‘jump start’ autism action

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

Members of the Valley Autism Support Team (VAST) dropped into Leo Glavine’s Greenwood constituency office March 27 to thank the Kings West MLA for “his continuous action and support of families affected by Autism.”

The presentation was made just prior to the first World Autism Day, celebrated April 2, and coincided with the group calling on the provincial government to rise to the UN’s worldwide challenge to improve and promote the programs and services individuals with autism and their families require. “We have been waiting for some action from government since our November 6 appearance before the Nova Scotia Legislative Standing Committee on Community Services,” explained VAST director Norman Donovan. To date, there has been no response to the motion made at the committee level for the government to form a working group to “investigate the scope of issues surrounding the autism community.”

Glavine agrees the province has dropped the ball by failing to follow through on the motion that went to the cabinet level. “Before we can respond to the needs of the autism community, we need to identify gaps in the system that families affected by autism must negotiate.”

To jump start the process, Glavine plans to introduce a bill in the upcoming spring session of the Legislature. “(The Liberals) did the same with the chronic pain issue and, if we need a bill to get a similar reaction about autism, that’s what we’ll do,” pointed out Glavine.

Aside from identifying the scope of autism in Nova Scotia, VAST would like to see better training for physicians in terms of diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder. Donovan said the province also needs to address a lack of therapists and clinicians trained to provide intensive autism therapy and supports.

Advocating on behalf of the autism community has been “one of the most satisfying connections” during Glavine’s five years in office. “I believe that investing in early intervention for children with autism will help establish normal developmental patterns and will also lead to tremendous cost savings down the road for education, health and social services.”