The United Nations has declared today (mon) World Autism Awareness Day.
Carol Tebay from Autism Services of Saskatoon says they offer a range of programs for children who have autism.
Some of the programs offered include the Autism Intervention Program that serves children ages 0 to 19 and includes individual and group therapy for ages 0-5 and social skills groups for children ages 6-19.
Also Autism Services provides a program for toddlers that includes a behaviour intervention program with 25 hours of therapy each week.
Tebay adds Autism Services also provides family programs that include all year recreational activities such as swimming lessons or bowling.
Tebay also says there’s lots of different things to consider when interacting with someone who has autism. She says things that people with autism have difficulty with are social communication skills, change in transitions, and they may also be sensitive to other things such as types of clothing.
Just last week, Health minister Jim Reiter said the promised support of individualized funding for families with children who have autism that was deferred last year will be coming in the April 10th budget. The province believes 4 thousand dollars in support should be provided to parents with autistic children under 6 years old.
The City of Saskatoon has also declared the month of April Autism Awareness Month.
For more information: www.autismservices.ca