The need for better support for adults with autism who have an IQ above 80

Wednesday April 6, in Question Period, I asked the Minister of Families about an 18 year old boy with autism who needs support services, but has so far been unable to get it.

Individuals with Autism - Support Services Criteria

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, I have written to the Minister of Families about an 18-year-old with autism who clearly needs supports which are being denied them.

Because their IQ is above 80, they do not fit the minister's category for support, yet the 18-year-old's learning, processing, planning and functional deficits are such that they desperately need the support in order to have the best chance of success.

I ask the minister whether she will do what Newfoundland and Labrador are doing, which is to eliminate the IQ criteria for support for autism, and instead base the support on functional needs.

Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Families): I thank the member for the question, and I'm always happy to talk about casework–preferably outside of the Chamber. But since he's raised it in the House, I'm certainly happy to respond to him about our government's approach to helping all Manitobans with disabilities and lifting all Manitobans who are afflicted with disabilities up and making sure that they get their diagnostics and that they get their proper treatments.

We've made some investments in building more diagnostics and assessments tools and treatments for people afflicted with autism and certainly invested more in children with disabilities. And there'll be more to come on April the 12th when our Finance Minister tables the budget, which will be good news for people with disabilities in the province of Manitoba.

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