Autism group getting the word out

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

Efforts by the Valley Autism Support Team (VAST) to educate the public about autism have paid off.

A recent donation by four Medical Office Assistant students from NSCC’s Kingstec campus - Jennifer Sabean, Melissa Tenyenhuis, Katelyn Halbgewachs and Holly Boudreau - is just another initiative to fundraise in support of VAST. VAST director Norm Donovan made a presentation at the college in October, Autism Awareness Month. The students raised $389 by selling candy packages and tickets on a basket.

VAST had been looking at holding a summer camp for autistic children, but Donovan said the financial challenges associated with hosting anything on a long-term basis proved considerable.

The group, which meets at the autism centre at Kingston school, now has a membership of 32 families who are caring for a total of 35 autistic children. Instead of the summer camp, VAST members have decided to focus on establishing a year-round autism centre in the Valley. The Kingston site is not available to families during the summer months, a time when support is much needed by families.

Pointing to the Halifax Autism Centre as a model, Donovan said “we envision a centre staffed by paid employees that would be open all year in an accessible location.”

In the meantime, Donovan continues his efforts to inform the public about autism. He recently hosted a presentation to the Kingston and District Volunteer Fire Department on risk management for people with autism. He said about 150 firefighters and paramedics were on hand.