The provincial government is increasing funding and enhancing the Preschool Autism Intervention Program.
Preschool autism intervention program improved and funding increasedhttps://t.co/nSKl9qxycn
— Government of NB (@Gov_NB) December 20, 2016
Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Brian Kenny says there are no waiting lists and every child with autism begins receiving services as soon as they are diagnosed.
The $1.3 million in increased funding will bring the program total to $17.2 million, and that new money will go towards improvements like an extra $5,500 per child for services each year.
The average total per child will then approach $33,000, up from $27,500.
As well, training will be provided for parents to increase their involvement, and all agency staff will be trained in new intervention strategies and tools.
Kenny says when they began improving the service, they consulted with families using the program, experts and service providers to better understand the needs of users.
In 2015 and 2016, this program served 816 children, with the goal being to reduce the features of autism by providing early intensive behaviour intervention.
More details are available below from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
