NEW GLASGOW
A milestone has been reached for families in Pictou County that have needs relating to autism.
The Pictou County Chapter of Autism Nova Scotia raised a flag to celebrate Autism Awareness Day – and it was an event that coincided with the official opening of the New Glasgow Autism Resource Centre on MacLean Street.
A crowd of families, dignitaries and supporters braved the windy, brisk weather on Monday afternoon to visit Glasgow Square, and watch the flag ascend into the windy Monday sky and check out the Autism Resource Centre nearby.
“It’s a dream come true,” said President Allison Kearley of the Pictou County Chapter of Autism Nova Scotia as the crowd filed in from the flag raising outside to the Resource Centre to take a gander at their colourful surroundings.
Kearley emphasized that there is a need for support for families affected by autism, seeing as there is a one-in-66 prevalence of autism diagnoses in Canadian children.
Kearley said she expects to see more people seeking out help from the Pictou County Chapter of Autism Nova Scotia, now that the Resource Centre is in place – because people will be more aware that support and help are available, with it available at a specific central location in New Glasgow.
“Autism can be a social challenge for people who are diagnosed and their families, as they have limited ways to cope. (The Pictou County Chapter of Autism Nova Scotia) started by creating programs based on the needs of families,” said Kearley, describing how the local Pictou County autism support group eventually became a full-fledged branch of Autism Nova Scotia, due to the local need for help from the group.
“Now that the Resource Centre is open, families in need of help have someone they can reach and call right away,” Kearley said, referring to the employee who is available 10 hours a day to talk, helping families deal with some of the challenges posed by autism.
Kearley said the Resource Centre was the culmination of a couple of years’ work, expressing her gratitude to the volunteers, businesses and families that helped with the necessary work, and donated furniture and items to help furnish and prepare the Resource Centre.
Although the Resource Centre was complete, and some programming was being run in the months coming up to April 2, Kearley noted that the date of the official opening was deliberately chosen to coincide with Autism Day.
The Pictou County Chapter of Autism Nova Scotia offers numerous programs, such as music therapy, swimming – and even an art program, the results of which were proudly displayed on the walls of the officially opened Resource Centre.
