Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention program gets another $1M
Come September, the province says there will be room for 20 to 25 more children in EIBI
In its 2015-2016 budget, the Nova Scotia government has promised more young children with autism will access a specialized therapy program this September.
As of April, there were about 182 children waiting to get into the Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) program, but only 90 spaces available. In September, the province says there will be room for 20 to 25 more children — a total of 110 to 115.
Allison Garber has a young son with autism. She is part of a group who spent months advocating for a greater investment into EIBI.
"I'm grateful, you know, any small amount of help right now is a step in the right direction," said Garber.
The program is a minimum of six-months long, and must be completed before a child turns six or starts school — which has many parents making the decision to delay their children's education in order to access the program.
"We know there are so many families who are across the province waiting for supports for their kids who have recently been diagnosed with autism and in some cases kids who have not so recently been diagnosed. Many families are waiting well over a year often two to access the program," Garber told CBC News.
In its budget, the province outlines an additional $1 million towards EIBI.
This brings the total annual investment in the program up to $10 million.
This announcement comes alongside the release of a long-awaited report commissioned by the Department of Health and Wellness evaluating the success of and wait times for, EIBI.
The report makes echoes parents' concerns when it comes to these wait times: from delaying school to the financial toll that delay can have on families. It also acknowledges the growing demand for resources for children with autism.
"We're just going to have more kids coming and I worry that we're going to face this problem again next year," said Garber.
That demand will need to be met with more resources as well as more interaction between the resources that exist for children with autism, added Garber.