Thank you, Mr. Speaker. October 14th to the 20th is Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Awareness Week. Canadians are being informed about Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.
About 10 percent of the population suffers from ADHD and many people never get help. Untreated, ADHD often results in failures at school or the workplace. With treatment, people can lead healthy, productive lives.
ADHD is just one of many disorders requiring specialized care. In this area the government is not doing enough. For example, long-term mental health patients, people like Allisdair Leishman, receive minimal care, while priority is given to mental health outpatients.
Little is being done to prevent or response to the devastating effects of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. We are still awaiting a wellness court to assist offenders with cognitive challenges such as FASD.
Another case in point is Autism Spectrum Disorder, which is rising at an alarming rate. Alberta and other jurisdictions spend upwards of $40,000 per year on every autistic child, but we have no funding earmarked for autism therapy. This is shameful, Mr. Speaker.
The Inclusive Schooling Program is one of the few main avenues for providing specialized care. Recent budget cuts tell us the government’s priorities lie elsewhere.
A growing body of evidence demonstrates that up-front investment in specialized care results in fewer resources needed down the road for health care, education, social services, courts and corrections.
ADHD Awareness Week is a time to contemplate the range of specialized care needs. For financial and moral reasons, more should be done in the area of prevention, individualized interventions, rehabilitation, school integration and in-home services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
