Ryan White, CTV Calgary Published Thursday, September 25, 2014 12:34PM MDT Last Updated Thursday, September 25, 2014 1:05PM MDT
Albertas perceived role as a leader in innovative autism treatment in the education system is not attracting as many families to our province as once believed.
According to the Autism Spectrum Disorder in Alberta report, released Thursday by University of Calgary economist Herbert Emery, 1,711 students in Calgarys education systems have some form of autism.
Some thought that the numbers might be high because people were coming to Alberta for the excellent programs offered in early childhood intervention for autism in comparison to other provinces, said Carolyn Dudley, School of Public Policy. We wondered Did we have more individuals with autism than other provinces because of that?.
According to the report:
Calgarys autism numbers are comparable to the national average.
The pervasive developmental disorder which impacts a developing childs communication skills, behavior and social interaction costs the family of a child with autism, on average, $60,000 a year.
Each year, approximately 140 students with autism will graduate from Albertas schools and the support Albertas education system offers. Researchers say the provincial government needs to prepare for an influx of graduates requiring additional support.
We're already straining to meet the needs of individuals that are out there right now and now we have a better understanding of how many are going to be coming online in the adult system each year, said Herbert Emery, University of Calgary economist. This is a number where we can get the public to start to understand that it's not just a handful of people, it's a fairly sizable number and we need to get a better grasp on what they need and what we can do to make the outcomes better.
Autism is a life-long neurological dysfunction which typically appears in a childs first three years.
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Study dispels Albertas autism migration myth, warns of need for increased support