Where will the funding for autism therapy come on PEI

April Ennis, mother of two children with autism spectrum

April Ennis, PEI Preschool Autism Services

Word on the street is that the funding for IBI therapy is being moved out of the Disability Support Program and into the newly formed Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

This might explain why the Minister of Social Services recently told an Island Mother that she needed to contact the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development regarding her funding request for autism therapy.

What is going on within Government? Are they communicating with each other? When are they going to let families know what it taking place? Is the Government planning to engage the community in discussion regarding the new proposed model of funding before the change takes place?

There seems to be a lot of confusion within Government as to where the funds for IBI therapy are coming from. How frustrated do you think Island families are when they call looking for help and they are told to call another department and when they do, the next person does not know what they are talking about?

It is too soon to tell what the Government is up to and if it will benefit the families affected by autism on PEI. Here is a newsflash – Autism is a medical condition! The funding belongs under the Department of Health.