By Peta-Gaye Forbes-Robinson

HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS

The government has been working assiduously towards digitalizing the economy and spending numerous amounts of money to achieve this goal. While this is being seen as a benefit to our country, the disability community has been undermined. Here is a possible solution: your influence and resources could be used in reforming the guidelines of health insurance schemes so that ABA and speech therapy are added as a benefit to all workers who are parents of children with autism. There is one health insurance company that I know that currently offers a minor touch of benefit in this area, but it is not enough. We need to do a fair ratio analysis and match the realistic cost of ABA and speech therapy with what we are offering to the people of Jamaica.

SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND EDUCATIONAL GRANTS

I commend the Ministry of Education. I have had the opportunity to cross paths with the director of the special education unit. With the hurt and pain my family and I have endured, especially my son, I give commendation to this hearty woman. She will go above and beyond, but I know the

re is only so much that she can do.

Here is another possible solution for the government, with special reference being made to the Minister of Education, Fayval Williams. I implore you, Minister Williams, to look deeper into establishing scholarship funds specifically for people who desire to study applied behaviour analysis (ABA therapy). If the government only decides to take responsibility for paying full scholarships to 20 university students annually from first year to fourth year and sanction them to a bond not exceeding 5 years of ABA service in Jamaica, servicing public schools, and addressing the lack of untrained autism personnel within schools, Jamaica will begin to walk in the direction of inclusivity. This solution is not only for the government but also for churches and private entities to recognise that they too can step in and create scholarship funds for students.

I share a quote with you from RWOMI Ministries International: “one plus one (1+1) surely equals change.” We need training. There are many who truly are called and passionate about the cause and implementing interventions for autism, but financially, it is embarrassing for us to even press through and study. Currently, there is only one institution in Jamaica that offers applied behaviour analysis; it is a prominent theological seminary in Jamaica. Perhaps the Ministry of Education could partner with this institution to provide scholarships and financial assistance to students studying ABA therapy, even specific funding for those studying at the teacher colleges in the discipline of special needs.

Minister Fayval Williams, I know this is absolutely nothing greater than yours to do. I have seen you in action; I know what you are capable of. Being one of the voices of this community, I am saying humbly, “Please tilt your head more towards the country’s special needs’ deficiencies.”

‘Every child can learn; every child must learn,’ including the child with autism.

BUSINESS GRANTS AND LOANS FOR THE FAMILY OF AUTISTIC HOMESCHOOLERS

Here is another possible solution: perhaps the government could partner with the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (herein referred to as “the Council”) and other entities to assist with easy-access business loans and not ones that require a book of requirements; the main requirement should be that you have a child who has special needs that can only be home-schooled. This would facilitate flexibility and income to address the every-day special needs of their child or children.

Also, more grants could be provided to the community of special-needs homeschoolers.

I am thankful for the Jamaica Home-School Association (JAHS) and the work they do needs to be better publicised, such as a strong support system, training, information dissemination, and so much more. They make homeschooling your child or children a world of difference.

Currently, yes, I am aware that the Council provides grants, but persons like me have applied for business grants for almost a year now and have yet to receive same.

There is so much more to be said.

I pray that this article brings positive change to the lives of those living with and battling autism spectrum disorder. This is my expression of woes: as a parent of an 8-year-old who is on the autism spectrum, a friend of those also affected with and by autism, an advocate of those battling autism, and a human to another human. I am saying, “Let us spend more of our country’s resources on areas that are truly meaningful to the needy.”

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With a degree in Business Administration, Peta-Gaye Forbes-Robinson has always been interested in catering to the needs of persons with disabilities, teaching, and observing what causes people to behave the way they do.  She has done much work in the field of autism and can be reached at giftedmindsresourcecentre@gmail.com.