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Autism awareness spreads
Autism Speaks Canada project brings speaker to Deh Cho to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder

April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, October 27, 2016

DEH CHO
Although certain factors may play a role, there is no one smoking gun behind the cause of autism, according to Terri Duncan.

NNSL photo/graphic

Terri Duncan, executive director for Children's Autism Services of Alberta, delivered a presentation on autism awareness to a group of parents, educators and community members on Oct. 17. - April Hudson/NNSL photo

Duncan spoke to a packed room of parents, educators and community members in Fort Simpson on Oct. 17 on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The executive director of Children's Autism Services of Alberta, Duncan's appearance was one of three across the Deh Cho. Stops included Jean Marie River and Fort Providence.

"We don't have to know why (autism exists) to know what to do," Duncan said during her talk.

Supports needed

In particular, community supports are necessary for people with ASD, who may have social communication deficits and prefer predictable routines.

Nancy Noseworthy, the regional inclusive schooling consultant for the Dehcho Divisional Education Council, brought Duncan to the Deh Cho as part of a project funded through Autism Speaks Canada.

She says the Deh Cho region currently has 12 children who have been diagnosed with ASD, and four more who may have ASD.

That represents a 300 per cent increase over the past five years, she said.

"The diagnosis rate right now is one in 68, so that's quite high," she said.

"And it's four to one boys, so the likelihood we're going to have more individuals with ASD is quite high."

Thanks to Autism Speaks Canada, Noseworthy received $20,000 under the organization's directed grants. Her project is designed to raise awareness in the Northwest Territories about Autism Spectrum Disorder and reach out to families supporting people with autism.

"When you look at the data out there about autism, the Northwest Territories is not represented very well," she said.

Currently, children must go to Edmonton to be diagnosed with ASD. The disruption to their routine can often be traumatic in and of itself, and once they return to their communities they may lack the support people with ASD can access in other areas of Canada.

Help lacking

Noseworthy said currently people with autism in the Deh Cho receive a visit from a speech language pathologist and occupational therapist twice per year.

"That's not very much. Then schools are tasked with providing programming, and we're not really sure how to approach that programming," she said.

"We do get support from our speech and occupational therapists in Yellowknife, and their support is wonderful - if we call them, they're always there. But (Duncan's talk) was something in addition."

Aside from raising community awareness about ASD, Noseworthy said the other portion of her project involves reaching out to families of people with ASD.

"Depending on the severity of autism, it can be quite draining on families," she said.

With the money she has left over from her grant, Noseworthy says she may be able to invite Duncan back for another session in the future. Additionally, she plans to offer parents of children with ASD a consulting option, where they can access Duncan's resources through the Children's Autism Services of Alberta.

"She would be available to chat with them and provide support at a distance," Noseworthy said.

"Sometimes that's all you need - a listening ear, a different perspective, someone who's not intimately involved and can see it from a distance."

As for the Dehcho Divisional Education Council, Noseworthy says Duncan's talk was just the beginning.

"We know where we need to go, so now it's about helping kids from our end," she said.

"What I would love is to spark more interest and awareness from our communities so there's more understanding, and that our individuals with ASD have opportunities for extracurricular (activities), being understood and having their needs met in our communities."

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